Brand shouldn’t expect a sweet Sara after her jab at Casasola: "I should command a bit more respect"

Sara Casasola is undoubtedly the revelation of this cyclo-cross season. Since her move to Crelan-Corendon, the 24-year-old Italian has suddenly found herself among the top contenders week after week, a shift that the established order is clearly having to adjust to. On Saturday in Merksplas Belgium, Lucinda Brand wasn’t too pleased with the tenacity Casasola showed during a decisive phase. A day later, in Hamme, IDLProCycling.com gave Casasola the chance to respond to Brand's words.

"Without Casasola's action, that gap wouldn't have happened, then it would have been a gamble until the end. I had to come back; I hate that," said Brand, referring to a steep hill where Casasola boldly cut inside. This move slowed both riders down, allowing Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado to break away and win in Merksplas. Brand finished second, while Casasola took fourth place.

"I know it may have been a bit much, but it was nothing against Lucinda," Casasola said after taking third place in Hamme. "I wanted to be in her wheel but ended up halfway beside her, so my choice was to either crash or make some meters going uphill. I did what I had to do, even though the line between right and wrong can sometimes be thin for others. But it’s racing, and everyone does what they need to when the moment calls for it."

Read more below the photo.

Casasola and Brand have to get off their bikes after making contact

Casasola won’t hold back against the established stars

"Maybe it's due to the young age," Brand added on Saturday. The Dutch champion from Baloise Trek Lions clearly had her eye on the Italian. "I have often thought: ow! That's also a bit cyclo-cross, but she usually doesn't benefit. Then it's annoying, so when I get the chance, I'll point that out again."

A conversation didn’t happen on Sunday. "I haven’t talked with Lucinda about it, but I hope we’re friends," Casasola laughed, issuing a warning to the top competitors: she’s not going to ease up in the coming weeks. "I take risks when necessary, I think. I try not to do it too much because nobody wants to crash in a stupid way. But if I see an opportunity, I go for it. Sometimes I’m still a bit too nice. I should command a bit more respect."

Read more below the photo.

Sara Casasola

Casasola hopes to close the gap with Brand and Alvarado

10, 2, 4, 3, 3, 4, 3, 4, 4, 3. No one can ignore that Casasola is currently among the top four cyclo-cross riders in the world. Fem van Empel, Brand and Alvarado won’t easily shake off the Italian’s grit in the coming weeks. "It still feels great to get on the podium, but I’m getting closer. When you get close, you want more, but I’m riding well and just missing that little bit."

She hopes to find that missing piece in the coming weeks, though Casasola knows her competitors can still up their game as well. "I hope it comes. It’s getting better and better, but I need to be more aggressive and smarter in the final. I need to work on that — improving my weaknesses, but hopefully, that will come with more races."

Read also

Take it with a grain of salt: Pogacar skips Giro, Bernal (as Vingegaard’s domestique) and Ganna leaving INEOS?

Pogacar's agent draws striking parallel between Pogacar, Nibali and Froome: "They let their sons do what they need to do"