"Honestly: I didn't think this was acceptable" - Lucinda Brand hits out at Fem van Empel after losing dramatic battle for CX World Championship title

Lucinda Brand gave a very strong effort on Saturday afternoon at the 2025 Cyclocross World Championships. Ultimately though, a second Rainbow Jersey wasn't quite on the cards as the 35-year-old ended up narrowly beaten by Fem van Empel after a thrilling battle.

Post-race though, Brand was left fuming about a late attack from her rival that also saw the two Dutch stars come into contact. "I'm standing here very grumpy," Brand told Sporza afterwards. "It was a beautiful race in which we were evenly matched. Everyone knows that she would normally be the strongest in that final straight. But I don't know what to think about the fact that it is necessary to ride someone into the fences. Honestly: I didn't think this was acceptable."

"I'm not saying I would have won without that manoeuvre, but I would have been more at peace with it. It's a shame it was necessary," she continues. "On the technical part I was better and had the better line. I quickly made the choice to walk, but Fem saw me coming and sent me outside. I'm lucky I didn't fall at that pole. But we were both riding at our limit and normally she was faster than me. Fem would have beaten me at the finish."

Nevertheless, Brand can look back proudly on a very successful season. "I've had a fantastic season and I've always said that this day wouldn't make or break my year, but this World Championship could have made it a lot better," she concludes emotionally. "I've been really looking forward to this and I don't think I've done anything wrong. Everyone has helped me and I can be very proud of that."