Dramatic relegation, podium no-show and subdued Lucinda Brand interview - Controversial jury decision as Marie Schreiber's European Championships victory overturned
Cyclocross
The elite women's race at the 2026 Cyclocross European Championships served up a dramatic finale as Marie Schreiber crossed the line first ahead of Lucinda Brand. But afterwards, confusion took hold as race officials relegated her for a sprint deviation as Brand was awarded the title and the Luxembourg rider no-showed the podium presentation.
Schreiber's sprint deviation, edging slightly left in the run-up to the line, was enough for commissaires to relegate her to the silver medal. Meanwhile, world champion Lucinda Brand admitted that the title didn't feel quite the same following the process.
Some time after the finish itself, the podium presentation saw Schreiber absent following the updated result, a reserved Brand and Netherlands bronze medallist Ceylin Alvado also cutting a disappointed figure after suffering a crash and injuring her hand in the process.
After an entertaining race saw Brand, Alvarado and Schreiber trade attacks and placings throughout the seven laps in Zeddam. The trio ultimately blew apart the field from the opening laps as they guaranteed the medals would be decided in the final lap.
After the sprint, Brand reflected on her second European title after her first in 2021. It's her seventh participation in the elite race, and she's never been off the podium, with now two wins, three silver medals and two bronze medals.
Looking visibly affected by the decision, Brand said: "Yes, here's another title, it's a lot of the sprints title I have took, and yeah, it was a tough race."
Lucinda brand reacts to overturned result
Walking media through her final lap, Brand admitted that Schreiber drove the pace well, acknowledging Alvarado's final lap crash and paying tribute to the Luxembourgish rider.
"Yes, well, the whole last lap was tough. Marie was super strong the whole race, and especially on the stairs. She really pushed us to the limit there, and that's maybe also why Celia made a mistake.
"And then I came on the tarmac for the sprint, and she just started a little second earlier than I started. And I tried to come up, and I came next to her, and yes, well... how it ended up is a jury decision, of course."
The 37-year-old had little to add after a tense period of confusion following the finish, admitting that the incident led to it feeling different from the other accolades throughout her storied career.
She added: "This result, and yeah, nothing else I can say about it, actually. Of course, every title is really nice, but yeah, this one will still feel a bit different, I have to admit."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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