"It has already been a good season and to become Dutch champion makes it complete" - Lucinda Brand reacts to fabulous victory at National Championships

Lucinda Brand is back in the Dutch National Champion's jersey after an imperious performance in victory on Sunday afternoon in Hoogeveen.

"I am very happy and proud. It has already been a good season and to become Dutch champion makes it complete," reacted Brand in her post-race interview. Despite the relative ease of her victory, Brand's preparation was thrown into chaos last weekend when she crashed out whilst leading in Zonhoven, breaking her nose.

"It was a bit of a shock last week, but luckily I didn't get up in much pain the next day, apart from a swollen nose. This allowed me to carry out the week as intended, except for Monday when I went from one doctor to another to check everything. Fortunately, I escaped unscathed," Brand recalls. "I think there is a small kink, but fortunately breathing went as normal."

With the likes of Puck Pieterse, Annemarie Worst and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado all also competing, the Championships was a high-quality field. "The level is very high here. It is not without reason that it is often said that the National Championships are a small World Championships," she concludes. "I'm happy that I was able to finish it today, and with such a beautiful jersey."