Lucinda Brand had to acknowledge her superior in Inge van der Heijden last Saturday at the European Cyclocross Championships, but the leader of Baloise Glowi Lions managed to turn the tables on Tuesday at the Superprestige in Niel. Brand crossed the finish line first with a clear lead, ahead of Van der Heijden and Aniek van Alphen.
Just two days after the European Championships in Middelkerke, cyclocross action returned. In Niel, the riders prepared for a true cyclocross classic: the Jaarmarktcross – always held on Armistice Day – boasts a very rich history. The first edition dates back over sixty years, to November 11, 1963, making Niel one of the oldest cyclocross races still on the current calendar.
In this historic race, newly crowned European champion Inge van der Heijden made her debut in the blue and white jersey, but the competition from Lucinda Brand and Aniek van Alphen was not to be underestimated. There were also some notable absences, including world champion Fem van Empel, Belgian champion Marion Norbert Riberolle, and Sara Casasola, the leader in the Superprestige. The Italian was still feeling the effects of her crash at the Europeans and had to withdraw at the last moment.
Inge van der Heijden in her European champion jersey - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Van Alphen leads early, Brand takes over
Before the start, all eyes were on Brand – hunting for her fifth win of the cyclocross season – but she was not the first to enter the field. That honor went to Van Alphen after a fast start. However, the Dutch rider made a mistake on one of the steep climbs in the opening phase, suddenly losing a lot of ground. Brand saw this from the front row and decided to push hard for the first time. Only one rider was able to keep up: Van der Heijden.
Still, the Crelan-Corendon leader had to work hard to match her older compatriot. Behind them, Van Alphen – after her slip-up – and Hélène Clauzel tried to shake things up, but they never caught the race leaders again. At the front, Brand kept up the pressure, but a determined Van der Heijden was not about to fold easily. Using her technical edge, she resisted for a long time.
Brand pulls away meter by meter from Van der Heijden - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Brand solos to another victory
After three (of the total eight) laps, Brand’s lead was still only about five seconds. The battle for victory was far from decided, but the bigger engine of the Baloise Glowi Lions team leader made the difference. In the fourth lap, she doubled her advantage, and by five laps the gap had grown to fifteen seconds. Van Alphen was behind by an even bigger margin but was well on her way to securing the final podium spot.
There was no suspense left in the final laps. Brand rode faultlessly and without trouble to claim her fifth win of the season, adding to previous victories in Ardooie, Essen, on the Koppenberg, and Lokeren. Van der Heijden was the best of the rest in her first race as European champion, while Van Alphen took her place on the podium once again.
Inge van der Heijden is the new leader in the Superprestige - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
With her second place (and the accompanying points), Van der Heijden took over the lead in the Superprestige from her teammate Casasola.
Telenet Superprestige Niel| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52:07 | |
| 2 | + 47 | |
| 3 | + 01:17 | |
| 4 | + 01:47 | |
| 5 | + 02:17 | |
| 6 | + 02:18 | |
| 7 | + 02:36 | |
| 8 | + 02:59 | |
| 9 | + 03:32 | |
| 10 | " |
| Rank | Rider | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Inge van der Heijden | 50 | |
| 2 | Aniek van Alphen | 49 | |
| 3 | (1) |  Amandine Fouquenet | 46 |
| 4 | Lucinda Brand | 44 | |
| 5 | (1) | Hélène Clauzel | 37 |
| 6 | (2) | Julie Brouwers | 32 |
| 7 | (3) |  Sara Casasola | 29 |
| 8 | (1) | Denise Betsema | 27 |
| 9 | (2) | Marion Norbert Riberolle | 25 |
| 10 | (2) | Leonie Bentveld | 23 |
