"My health was my main concern" - Could illness have helped Ceylin del Carem Alvarado to win the World Cup Namur?

Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado made a superb return to the cyclocross field on Sunday, claiming victory at the cyclocross World Cup Namur after a three-week absence due to illness. The 26-year-old Alpecin-Deceuninck rider showed why she is one of the very best riders in the field, as she secured her seventh victory of the winter season.

Alvarado's absence from the field, which included skipping the World Cup in Dublin, was a necessary step to recover and rebuild after struggling with illness. Reflecting on her time away, Alvarado told Wielerflits, "The first week abroad was very easy, mainly endurance rides. My health was my main concern at that time.

“It took a while before that was completely gone. After that I was able to train well for about a week, a week and a half. It took a while and I think in the end it was good that I took a break."

This period of recovery and targeted training appears to have been the perfect remedy, allowing her to regroup and come back stronger.

Alvarado’s return to racing began in Herentals, where she showed signs of her growing strength despite finishing third after a crash. Speaking about that race in Namur on Sunday, she said, "In Herentals I had to get into it. The feeling was great then, just like in Namur.

“In Herentals I was unlucky with my fall, but today I really got into it and kept riding at my own pace. I was able to do my thing and that paid off."

Racing on one of the most challenging cyclocross courses, Alvarado held her composure, maintained a steady pace, and outclassed her rivals to take the top step of the podium. She’s now right back in the thick of it, but will this be the winter she can defeat Fem van Empel in the world championships?