Back pain does not prevent Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado from confirming Cyclocross World Cup victory

Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado had a tough day in Hoogerheide, but arrived at the finish line as the winner of the World Cup for the first time in her career.

The Dutchwoman had mathematically already sealed her win the week before in Benidorm where she had finished third, but still took to the start in the 14th round of the competition where a trip to the podium was confirmed regardless of her performance. She was only interested in the win on the day: “It is not that you ride for points, but purely for the day's victory, but that does not make the race any different."

However it wasn't to be. In the first few laps she was close to the front, however she was once again hit by the back pain that has for the past few weeks affected her at times. "You are disappointed for a moment and then it becomes a bit of a disappointment. What are you doing then? On a bad day you can continue riding, I think, but now my back was on my back." With no need to keep going all-out, she slowed down in the final laps, and rode to 15th on the day.

“That was quite difficult. I chose to continue riding at my own pace. We'll see whether that was the best choice. I think it takes time, because I do enough," she concludes. Now, it is all eyes on the Tabor World Championships for Alvarado, where she is a podium candidate and perhaps one for the victory if she finds her best legs.