Results X2O Trofee Hofstade | Masterclass after masterclass from Lucinda Brand as dominant Dutchwoman wins again!

A fine race on the sport’s return, 17 years later, to the iconic Hofstade. Not a World Cup this time, but part of the X2O Trofee. A classic sandy course blended with woodland and technical hurdles. In the women’s race, Lucinda Brand won again, the dominant force of this cyclocross season.

The course stayed relatively dry thanks to the sun over the lakeside venue. A notable absentee was Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado. Shirin van Anrooij, starting 10th after skipping last winter due to surgery and a strong performer in sand, was back. Brand launched sharply, controlling from the gun, and although her teammate Van Anrooij and Manon Bakker looked ready to challenge, it quickly became clear the World Cup leader had no real rival today.

At the end of lap three, Brand led by 18 seconds over the Van Anrooij–Bakker group, with Brouwers at 49 seconds and out of podium contention. Brand’s command along the beach sections was spectacular, her dominance unmistakable.

Before the fifth passage across the line, Lucinda Brand vented her frustration after getting tangled with two lapped riders. Her teammate Van Anrooij clipped four seconds from Bakker as the pair still contested second and third. Everything else looked settled. Brand’s display over her colleague Van Anrooij was impressive, with the latter finally moving past Bakker. That makes 56 consecutive podiums for the veteran. Brand’s numbers are extraordinary, in line with the sport’s all-time greats. Verdonschot finished fourth ahead of Browuers and the Italian Garibaldi.