Lucinda Brand returns to CX in Dendermonde: "I think she can immediately reach a good level"

The women's cyclocross campaign in 2023/24 has been utterly dominated by Fem van Empel so far. The reappearance of her compatriot, Lucinda Brand at the upcoming UCI World Cup in Dendermonde could see that change.

“Lucinda trained last week and I got a good impression of her form. I think she can immediately reach a good level in Dendermonde," says Dutch national coach Gerben De Knegt in quotes collected by Wielerflits, looking ahead to the upcoming cross, in which van Empel will be a notable absentee.

"It is not fun to see someone win so easily" - Cyrille Guimard growing bored of Fem van Empel's cyclocross dominance

Brand, a former World Champion from back in 2021 and a multiple-time World Cup race winner hasn't been seen racing a cross since the 19th of February this year, where she finished in second place at an x20 Trophee race behind van Empel.

The complete selection of Dutch women for Dendermonde is Brand, Aniek van Alphen, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Manon Bakker, Leonie Bentveld, Denise Betsema, Inge van der Heijden, Isa Nomden, Iris Offerein and Annemarie Worst.