Former World Champion Lucinda Brand left angry by a move from her rival: "I'm really annoyed about that"
Cyclocross
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.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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