Lucinda Brand's strategy for navigating the cobbles in Paris-Roubaix - "You have to make your bike dance a bit "

Lucinda Brand is set to compete in Paris-Roubaix with the primary goal of supporting her teammates and improving upon her bronze medal performance in the previous edition of the race.

Brand's cyclocross season didn't live up to her expectations, as she felt her base level was lower than the previous year. "It's a different winter," she shared with Ln de leiderstrui, "I feel like my base level was a bit lower than last year. I also know how quickly things can change." Despite her best efforts in the road season, success has eluded her thus far.

Click here to create your own team for the Fantasy Paris-Roubaix. At least $6,500/€6,000/£5,720 in prizes!

She continues, "Every day I feel a little fresher, a little better, so that's good. In the end, I will have to make the best of it. It's also about being patient, especially because in races like Roubaix, it's also about saving energy.”

She is open about her desire to achieve her goals. “My goal is to win this race myself one day, but as a team we obviously start with the goal of winning Paris-Roubaix again. It is something that is very much alive in the group and we are also confident that it can be done. It certainly won't be easy though, because there are still many strong riders.”

The presence of defending champion Elisa Longo Borghini and Elisa Balsamo in her team makes it a realistic possibility that Lucinda Brand's team could emerge victorious in this edition, as they did in the past two editions.

“It is a big fight to be at the front of the first positions. For that, you have to rely on your teammates and communicate well with each other. The moment you reach the cobbles, it is important to stay relaxed. If you can keep your head cool, you will have a better overview of what is happening. Furthermore, you have to make your bike dance a bit on the cobblestones and, above all, pedal hard,” concluded Brand.