Plane tickets booked, but Brand may skip the National Championships last minute: "I don’t think I’ll use them"

It was a slog, a grind, and a fight for breath—and Lucinda Brand is a master of it. The Dutch champion of Baloise Glowi Lions emerged victorious in the ultra-muddy Dendermonde World Cup, making it her second consecutive win in as many days. Despite her excellent form, Brand is unlikely to defend her national title next week (January 12).

In the post-race flash interview, a beaming Brand appeared, still covered in mud. The back-to-back win brought her great satisfaction. "It feels really good. But it’s also the first time I thought, 'Another lap, really?'" Brand laughed. Her lead over closest competitors Puck Pieterse and Fem van Empel was never truly threatened. "After the penultimate lap, I gained even more time. That’s when I knew I had to focus on the toughest sections to maintain my speed. After that, I was confident."

But it certainly wasn't easy. "It was super tough. I don’t know what all these people are thinking coming out here in such bad weather, but I’m really happy they did. All that cheering really helps." A big crowd showed up despite the mud and rain, something the Dutch champion appreciated, especially in the latter half of the race. "At first, I had Puck as a focus point, but at some point, when you’re riding alone, it’s amazing to have so much support from the fans."

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Three wins in a week? Even Brand isn't sure: "No idea, but it’s working"

After an intense Christmas racing period, Lucinda Brand seems unstoppable. “Maybe we should just do the World Championships tomorrow,” she joked. “It’s absurd. There’s no training logic behind it, I think.” While many competitors take breaks between races, Brand has consistently lined up at the start. “Very smart,” she commented on her rivals’ strategy.

A week and a half ago, Brand admitted that winning felt far off if she continued racing the way she was. “It’s just a matter of freshness,” she told this site in Gavere. Fast forward three victories, and Brand now looks like the freshest rider in the field. How does she do it? “No idea,” Brand told IDLProCycling.com after her podium ceremony. “Honestly, I have no clue. I just keep taking care of myself. I really don’t know, but it’s working.”

No nationals for Brand? All eyes on the World Championships in France

Brand’s participation in the Dutch National Championships next week in Oisterwijk is uncertain, as her focus is on the World Championships in Liévin. “I’m definitely heading to Spain for a training camp,” she said. “I’ll sleep on it, but there’s a good chance I’ll just stay there and skip the Nationals altogether.”

Current Dutch Champion Brand won in Gullegem before dominating Dendermonde

Despite her winning streak, the reigning Dutch champion is unlikely to compete in Brabant, where the Dutch National Championship will take place. “Plans always change. Initially, the idea wasn’t to race three days in a row. I already had plans to fly to Spain tonight. There are also tickets to travel back and forth, but I don’t think I’ll use them,” Brand explained.

Does this mean the National Championship isn’t important to Brand? “I usually find it very important,” she clarified. “It’s completely against my nature to even consider skipping it, but if I want to be in top shape for the World Championships, given everything I’ve already done, I need to carve out time to train. The last time I had a proper training block was at the beginning of December.”

Brand will still compete in the World Cup races in Benidorm, Maasmechelen, and Hoogerheide to maintain her lead in the series. “I have to keep racing for the World Cup points,” said the leader of the standings. A week after the Maasmechelen-Hoogerheide doubleheader, the World Championships will take place in northern France.

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