Lucinda Brand dominates in Flamanville

Flamanville was the setting for the sixth round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup 2023-2024. Lucinda Brand proved herself to be the best on a slippery course. Marie Schreiber and Leonie Bentveld joined her on the podium.

Marie Schreiber (Team SD Worx) had the best start in Flamanville, followed by Leonie Bentveld (Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal). Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions), the top favourite for the start, actually did not get off to a good one, but quickly made up ground during the first lap. At the completion of the first lap, a group of about ten riders were riding in front.

Marie Schreiber, Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal) and Leonie Bentveld took the lead and succeeded in creating a small gap. Brand was doing everything she could to bridge the difference. Up front, Schreiber made a strong impression, but Brand took advantage of a small slip. Not much later, she launched her own attack. The Dutch rider rode to the top of a climb where everyone else had to dismount and so she built up a significant lead.

She began the third lap with a 15-second lead over Schreiber. Behind them, Annemarie Worst (Cyclocross Reds), Leonie Bentveld and Denise Betsema were battling it out for the remaining podium spot. Brand, meanwhile, steamed ahead and extended her lead to 24 seconds. Behind her, Bentveld managed to catch up with Schreiber. Brand made a number of small mistakes, but kept her composure. One lap before the end, her victory seemed all but assured. The final lap became a lap of honour for Brand. Schreiber proved the strongest in the fight for second place. Leonie Bentveld took the third spot on the podium.