Former World Champion Lucinda Brand left angry by a move from her rival: "I'm really annoyed about that"

Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado claimed the victory at Saturday’s Superprestige Aardbeiencross Merksplas to continue her strong start to the winter, but there was drama behind the winner as Lucinda Brand was not happy with a move from Sara Casasola.

The pivotal moment unfolded during the fifth lap of the race. Alvarado led the way into the hilly forest, with Brand chasing closely behind, but Brand was caught off guard when Italian rider Sara Casasola made a daring move on the inside. Casasola’s bold manoeuvre forced both riders to dismount on the hill, and gave Alvarado some breathing space up ahead.

“Without that action by Casasola, that gap would not have been created, then it would have been a game until the end,” said an angry Brand after the race. “Now I had to come back, I'm really annoyed about that.”

“Maybe it's youthfulness, but there have been actions before where I thought that's also a bit cross, but often she doesn't even benefit from it,” said Brand, who was the world champion in 2021. “It’s really annoying, so if I get the chance, I'll definitely mention it again.”