"When things are going so well..." - Lucinda Brand caps off perfect season with world title in Hulst

Lucinda Brand has had an extraordinary season, winning the World Cup and X2O Badkamers Trofee with absolute domination, as well as winning almost all races she started this winter and only missing the podium on one occasion. But she had failed to win the European and Dutch national championships; which alongside the rise in form of Puck Pieterse and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, caused concern in the veteran's camp. However, she managed to win under pressure today at the cyclocross world championships.

"It's so wonderful to win the most important event of the season when you've already had a really good one. I mean, when things are going so well, you naturally want to win this one too," Brand said in a post-race interview. "Of course, I'm relieved, but that relief might have been even greater if I hadn't already won the world title."

In 2021 Brand had won the rainbow jersey, but after Fem van Empel took over the reigns in the last few years, it was a big question on whether Brand would be able to do it once again. This year however opened a significant opportunity, as van Empel stepped away from the sport and Brand was left without competition throughout much of the season.

However today was perhaps the most important day of her season, and the pressure was on. But this was also the case with her rivals. Puck Pieterse suffered a meaningful crash during the race, and Brand had her best legs to cap off an almost flawless race, where she was able to get the best of Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and take the rainbow jersey.

"Winning here in front of the home crowd is truly fantastic. It's so special," she admitted. "So many people were there to cheer me on, much more than the five staff members usually do".