Lucinda Brand has to continue the entire cross-country, but she still takes victory at the Superprestige Gullegem.

Lucinda Brand won the Superprestige Gullegem. The Dutch champion rode in fourth position for laps, but still managed to score on the final lap. Zoe Bäckstedt came second after a fierce battle with Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado. As a result, Brand also overtook Alvarado in the Superprestige rankings.

No Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse in the Superprestige Gullegem, but there are Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado. A duel between the two Dutch riders was obvious in advance, although Britain’s Zoe Bäckstedt could also join the battle. In any case, the latter got off to a good start. She was the first to enter the field, immediately followed by Leonie Bentveld and Alvarado.

Difficult start to the brand
Brand followed a little further, but quickly moved into the top five. As Bäckstedt shook the tree, the Dutch champion sank again. After one lap, she, along with Marion Norbert Riberolle and Aniek van Alphen, finished eight seconds behind the leading trio Bentveld, Alvarado and Bäckstedt. In the second of five laps, Brand attempted to cross alone.

It worked, but after a bad transition she lost connection again. At the second finish, Brand won, just in front of Riberolle, ten seconds behind. In the lead, Alvarado now takes over from Bäckstedt and the Fenix-Deceuninck driver immediately puts the pressure on. This led to a few holes in the top three, but after three rounds they were back together. During this time, the fire persisted for about ten seconds.

Brand Returns
Until the fourth round. The Baloise Glowi Lions runner was finally picking up speed. She first recovered the liberated Bentveld, then surrendered in one fell swoop to Bäckstedt and Chief Alvarado. As the final round approached, anything was still possible. Even Bentveld was not without luck, as she finished just three seconds behind the leaders. However, due to Brand’s acceleration just after the bell, his deficit widened.

Bäckstedt is now also in difficulty. She gives yard after yard to Alvarado, who in turn threatens to lose contact with Brand. The latter slowly but surely took a greater lead. The Baloise Glowi Lions rider completed his course and won with a convincing margin.

Fierce battle for second place
The battle for second place was ultimately even more exciting. Bäckstedt passed Alvarado in the running lane, who was not happy and tried to push her away. Back on the bike, Alvarado tried to overtake the British again. She succeeded, but in the sprint, Bäckstedt came back alongside her. The Canyon//SRAM zoncrypto rider finished second, while Alvarado had to settle for third. Alvarado also lost the Superprestige lead to Brand, who now has a one-point lead.