CYCLO-CROSS WORLD CUP 2024-2025 – In apocalyptic conditions, the Dutchwoman Lucinda Brand, leading from start to finish, won in Dendermonde ahead of her compatriots Puck Pieterse and Fem van Empel.
Setting for the ninth round of the World Cup, the Dutch site of Dendermonde did not do any favors to the competitors this Sunday. Indeed, the conditions turned out to be execrable: rain and torrents of mud awaited the runners, forcing them to run on many sections rather than getting on their machines. On the starting line, all the big names appeared for a new battle from another time.
The Dutch in power
The Dutchwoman Lucinda Brand first of all used a more offensive strategy than usual by taking the best start, undoubtedly to avoid certain disappointments with the traffic at the start of the race. She was followed by her young compatriot Puck Pieterse and by the no less young Briton Zoe Backstedtboth well in rhythm. Conversely, the world champion Fem van Empel was more cautious than usual and sailed at around thirty seconds after 3 laps, however regaining a Bäckstedt slightly in pain. Behind the leading duo Brand et Pietersewe found a number of other Batavian runners like Leonie Bentveld, Mona Bakker or even Inge van der Heijden. On the other hand, never in the game, Ceylin Alvarado retired in the fifth round.
van Empel nibbles, Brand resists
At the start of the last lap of the race, Fem van Empel came back to Puck Pietersebeginning a comeback worthy of that of the Sven Nys Grand Prix a few days ago. Unfortunately, it was slowed down by a rear wheel puncture in the final, leaving the whole field open to Brandface seized by mud, for victory. The latter won its second World Cup cyclo-cross this season after Dublin and strengthened its hold on the General Classification. Behind, Pieterse remained a few hectometers ahead of the unlucky van Empel for places on the podium. Zoe Backstedt finally finished fifth and consolidated her position as the best youngster of the World Cup, also benefiting from the modest twelfth place of the Luxembourger Marie Schreiber. Finally, the immutable Amandine Fouquenet finished first Tricolore, thirteenth, just ahead Caroline Mani fifteenth.
