“Brand always wants the best everywhere” – High praise for Lucinda Brand this winter from Michel Wuyts

Cycling analyst Michel Wuyts has used his column for HLN to reflect on the incredible performances of Lucinda Brand this cyclocross season. The Dutch rider has dominated the X2O Trofee and the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, while maintaining a narrow lead in the Superprestige series over Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.

"Lucinda is miles ahead of the rest in the X2O and the World Cup. In the Superprestige she beats Alvarado by a mere point. Luxury," wrote Wuyts. Despite her dominance, Wuyts observed that Brand wasn’t entirely satisfied with her performance during the New Year’s Day race.

"And yet Lucinda was disappointed on New Year's Day. Brand always wants the best everywhere. Lucinda is a cream of an athlete."

Wuyts highlighted the toll that a demanding schedule has taken on the riders, including Brand, after a challenging stretch of races. "A post, said one, a little ailment, complained the other. It goes without saying that at the end of a hellish ten-day decline it is logical. Even more true is that saturation begs for rest. Cancelling one or two races and focusing on what is still interesting for the individual, that's what it's all about. Crossing à la carte, that's right."

However, the analyst also raised the question of whether Brand's packed schedule could leave her more fatigued than her competitors when the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships take place in February. Drawing on historical context, Wuyts explained how this dynamic has long played out in the sport.

"That's nothing new. Sven Nys can tell you for hours about 'everyone sick in Baal'. Where he had to perform at a high level sixteen times as a god in the Hageland, Vervecken, Wellens, Albert and Vantornout often just lazed around and later sawed the legs off Sven's chair at championships, especially World Championships. Names change, behaviour hardly."

But the real question is whether Brand, or anyone else, can get close to Fem van Empel this winter. Brand has been world champion before, but can she reclaim the rainbow jersey in 2025?