"My health was my main concern" - Could illness have helped Ceylin del Carem Alvarado to win the World Cup Namur?
Cycling
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.
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“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.
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“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?
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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