UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Gavere: Lucinda Brand's Dominance Continues, Fouquenet Impresses
Lucinda Brand's reign in the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup continued at Gavere, where she secured her 10th consecutive win of the 2025-2026 season and her 26th World Cup victory overall. The race, held on a fast course in freezing but sunny conditions, was a testament to Brand's prowess and the growing strength of French racing.
Brand's victory was all the more impressive given the crash-ridden nature of the race. She broke away from the field with over half the course to go, with her closest pursuer, Puck Pieterse, crashing heavily. Brand's Baloise Glowi Lions team leader then pulled away, eventually finishing with a solid 15-second lead over Amandine Fouquenet (Arkeá-B&B Hotels), with Pieterse in third place.
Brand's post-race comments highlighted the challenges of the day, noting the need to adapt to the course's surface and the physical toll it took on her body. Despite the demanding conditions, she maintained her focus and strategy, showcasing her mental fortitude and racing intelligence.
The race unfolded with 68 riders taking off on a 14.6-kilometer course, unusually dry and fast, with a major crash affecting Belgian National Champion Marion Norbert Riberolle in the first lap. Fouquenet, already a winner at the Heusden-Zolder Superprestige race, set a hard early pace, posing a significant threat.
Fouquenet's aggressive strategy was met with a swift response from Brand and her teammate, Shirin van Anrooij, who bridged across and quickly shed the Frenchwoman. Van Anrooij then took the lead, with Pieterse also in contention. However, disaster struck Van Anrooij as she crashed on a frozen off-road section, losing her chain and multiple positions.
Pieterse continued alone, but the race dynamics shifted again as Brand, despite a slow start, used bike changes to move into the lead alongside her Dutch teammate. Pieterse, determined to stay in the race, battled back into a chase group of three, including Fouquenet. Brand's performance was seemingly unstoppable, taking 14 seconds on her closest rivals by the mid-race point.
As the race progressed, Brand's lead increased to 21 seconds, with Pieterse and Fouquenet engaging in a spectacular but ineffective battle for second place. With one lap to go, Brand's focus shifted to maintaining control, and her advantage stretched further. Only a major disaster could have prevented her from claiming her sixth World Cup win of the season, but none occurred.
Brand's victory was a testament to her consistent performance and strategic approach, even on a fast-thawing course. Her crushing domination in cyclo-cross this year has solidified her position as a force to be reckoned with in the sport, leaving her poised for further success in major races to come.
