🚵🇧🇪 | De dames zijn gestart onder de lichten van Diegem voor de laatste cross van 2024. Helaas is dit zonder Puck Pieterse en zien @Jeroenvanbelle en @Amerongentv direct een flinke valpartij. 🤕 #Superprestige 📺 Stream cross op HBO Max
Brand overpowers Alvarado to win Superprestige Diegem, Van der Heijden completes all-Dutch podium
Cyclo-crossMonday, 30 December 2024 at 21:06
Lucinda Brand was victorious in the evening cross in Diegem. The Baloise Trek Lions rider defeated Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, who eventually finished runner-up. Inge van der Heijden also managed to secure a place on the podium, finishing third in the sixth Superprestige race of the season.
Missing from the start in Diegem was Fem van Empel, Sunday's winner in Besançon. The world champion is skipping the Belgian race. Puck Pieterse was at the beginning but had to abandon the race due to stomach issues. So, it was already clear there would be a different winner than in the previous two editions. The field was otherwise impressive, with top Dutch riders like Brand and Alvarado at the start.
The race started chaotically under artificial light after a big crash halfway through the peloton. Many riders were pushed back early because of this, although the damage to the favorites at the front remained limited. Soon after, a group of six formed, taking a lead over the rest.
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Top three already determined within two rounds
Brand made a mistake in the sandpit, which hindered other riders, so the Dutch rider had to chase. She did this with success. At the start of the second lap, Alvarado was riding in front, three seconds ahead of Van der Heijden and four seconds ahead of Brand. Leonie Bentveld followed at nine seconds, while Sanne Cant was 12 seconds behind. The differences quickly increased after that.
At the end of the second lap, Van der Heijden had to drop out after a challenging running section. Brand then went full on the attack after the final stage of the course, forcing Alvarado to leave a small gap as well. Bentveld, now fourth, was already following at 24 seconds.
Brand and Alvarado test each other, Van der Heijden returns
Alvarado quickly closed the gap and regained the lead. Brand tried to attack twice, with the second attempt being successful. Just before the sand section, she took over the leading position, after which Alvarado had to abandon the race and fell several meters behind. Again, the Fenix-Deceunick rider made up for this, but she had to chase for the second time in a short time.
In the background, Van der Heijden worked her way back, and by the start of the fourth lap, she was almost there again. Just before the sand section, Alvarado gave Brand a taste of her own medicine, but the 26-year-old rider could not shake off the Dutch champion. So, an exciting battle unfolded between the two Dutch ladies. Two, because Van der Heijden had to go to the pit area and was behind again.
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🚵🇧🇪 | Lucinda Brand beslist de strijd in haar voordeel deze avond. Voor de eerste keer wint zij in Diegem. 🇳🇱👏 #Superprestige 📺 Stream cross op HBO Max
Brand pulls out all the stops and manages to overpower Alvarado
In the fifth lap, Brand took the initiative and secured the race. After Alvarado had a small gap due to a quick visit to the pit area, she did not have the strength to catch up. Exhaustion was beginning to show. The 35-year-old had thus managed to overpower her closest opponent and pulled out all the stops. As a result, Brand quickly created a big gap and won the Superprestige Diegem.
Results Superprestige Diegem women 2024
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
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Latest Comments
- This was very informative! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreiraluizantonioduarteferreira02-01-2025
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024