Ceylin Alvarado has won the Citadelcross in Namur. Just after halfway through no one could respond to an acceleration from the Dutch rider of Fenix-Deceuninck. Alvarado then rode solo to victory, but in the end Lucinda Brand had a nasty performance. Upon her return to the field, Puck Pieterse took third place on the podium.
Led by Marie Schreiber, the women entered the muddy field in Namur. Also well done: Puck Pieterse. The Dutch multi-talent had to start from the third row in her first cross, but was immediately able to make up many places. After a few hectometers she was actually cycling for compatriot Fem van Empel. Ceylin Alvarado and Lucinda Brand, the other two Dutch top performers, fared less well.
Despite all the Dutch violence, it was simply Schreiber and Blanka Vas who dictated the pace in the opening round. With a lead of seven seconds, the SD Worx – Protime duo crossed the finish line first. Behind it, Leonie Bentfeld cycled for a package with Pieterse, Alvarado, Worst and Backsted.
Unlucky Van Empel
Not but present with the pursuers: Fem van Empel. In the meantime, the Dutch world champion had fallen to the ground twice. With her first tumble she was able to jump back on her bike straight away, but with her second slide she lost precious seconds because her bike got stuck in the nets.
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After she also had to deal with equipment failure in the second round, she was able to forget about the victory for good. With a painful grimace, Van Empel also felt her knee.
Alvarado was clearly the best at the front. The Dutch woman threw Vas overboard in the fourth round. She went solo in search of victory. And she seemed to succeed, as she slowly expanded her lead over Pieterse and Vas. They were gradually allowed to start looking back themselves, because Lucinda Brand finally started to gain steam and approached.
A little later But at the front there was no match for Ceylin Alvarado. The 26-year-old Dutch entered the final lap with a lead of 22 seconds and rode to victory unthreatened. Although Brand still came awfully close.
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