"In many parts it was faster to walk" - Lucinda Brand put up a brave fight against Fem van Empel in Baal

Lucinda Brand fought a duel with world champion Fem van Empel in the GP Sven Nys. In the mud of Baal she eventually struggled to second place.

"It was very tough," said the Baloise - Trek Lions rider. "In many parts it was better to just walk, but that was very difficult. It really wasn't a circuit in which you could recover."

"I think Fem was a bit better uphill, if you had to keep some grip. I made too many small mistakes because I wanted to put pressure. Maybe I wanted a little too much. I think I was certainly able to apply good technical pressure, but of course you have to remain error-free. You have to do everything very well to win. And she rides very well, she doesn't let herself be fooled."

Brand has already had a busy period and says the recovery is not going so smoothly anymore. "I looked at my heart rate after the finish, it wasn't that high anymore. But everyone has to deal with it."