Lucinda Brand makes it back-to-back UCI World Cup successes with victory in Flamanville

Lucinda Brand has continued her impressive return to cyclocross action, taking her second successive UCI World Cup victory. After her win in Dublin last week, Brand was dominant Flamanville.

Although both Lucinda Brand and Marie Schreiber were neck and neck to start with, it was the 34-year-old former World Champion Brand, who powered to what was an unassailable lead during laps 2 and 3. As the penultimate lap began, Brand held over half a minutes lead over Schreiber, who had been joined by Leonie Bentveld in the battle for second.

As Schreiber attacked clear of Bentveld however, she began to close the gap to Brand, starting the last lap just 19 seconds down. Despite her push though, there would be no catching Brand. Nevertheless, she held on for second ahead of Leonie Bentveld and secured her first World Cup podium.