Brand's streak continues at World Cup Antwerp, after thrilling battle with Alvarado
The Kerstperiode has kicked off with the first in a World Cup doubleheader this weekend, with junior and elite racing at the port city of Antwerp. In the absence of three-time winner Fem van Empel – who announced she was putting her career on hold on Friday – Lucinda Brand was expected to dominate on the punchy course, extending a phenomenal and multi-faceted streak of results.
That Brand arrived on the top step of the podium surprised no one, however, the parcours and her opposition gave the Dutch superstar arguably her toughest fight of the season so far. Most notable was the timely renaissance of Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado who's had a tough few weeks since debuting at Flamanville, but was able to push Brand all the way to the line.
Aniek van Alphen and Puck Pieterse also put on a show, with the former valiantly defending her high position in the World Cup despite having to relinquish the lead to Brand, who is unbeaten in the four out of five rounds she's contested.
Look out for the first of Escape Collective's bumper Kerstperiode galleries after Sunday's World Cup Koksijde.
Elite women’s top 5
- Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) 53:48
- Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck) +0:02
- Aniek van Alphen (Seven Racing) +0:16
- Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) +0:23
- Kristyna Zemanová +0:24
World Cup standings
- Lucinda Brand – 160pts
- Aniek van Alphen – 146pts
- Leonie Bentveld – 99pts
- Amandine Fouquenet – 87pts
- Inge van der Heijden – 85pts
