"I can look back with great satisfaction" - Lucinda Brand reflects on successful winter after victory at Exact Cross Sint-Niklaas

For the sixth time this campaign, Lucinda Brand was able to celebrate victory on Saturday afternoon at Exact Cross Sint-Niklaas.

The Dutchwoman of Baloise - Trek Lions was utterly dominant, leading solo throughout the race. “Certainly in the first half of the cross, I just rode very hard to create as big a gap as possible,” said Brand afterwards. “If the gap is that big, you can see where you do and don't ride fast. But at the end you saw a few minor flaws. This happens because the concentration decreases slightly. That put me on edge again to just keep riding.”

In the end, Brand was the best part of a minute clear of her nearest rival, Laura Verdonschot. “If the pursuers remain at the same distance for a long time, you have to think about whether you should continue alone. It is difficult to ride through here alone if the cooperation behind you is good," she continues. "But apparently I was a lot stronger, or they looked at each other a lot. I do not know. But at least we managed to keep moving forward on our own.”

With the season nearing its conclusion, Brand also took time to reflect on a very successful year. “There are still two nice crosses to come, but I can look back with great satisfaction,” Brand concludes. “Every victory is nice. There were a lot more than last year, so I'm very happy with that.”