On Sunday, Marie Schreiber secured Luxembourg's second-ever medal at the Cyclocross World Championships, following in the footsteps of Claude Michely, who won in Munich in 1985.
Marie Schreiber achieved her dream of winning a medal at the Cyclocross World Championship. After finishing fifth and sixth in previous years, the Luxembourg champion delivered a strong performance in Liévin, France, and earned a silver medal in the U23 competition.
Following an intense and hard-fought race, Schreiber expressed great relief. The start was particularly hectic, as she struggled to clip into her pedal.
"It was all a bit crazy, to be honest. It was incredibly tough not to make any mistakes. Technically speaking, this was one of the most challenging courses of the entire season. There were so many spectators; I felt slightly overwhelmed on the first lap."
However, she quickly found her rhythm after two to three laps. Schreiber then managed to secure second place behind Zoe Backstedt and maintained her position until the finish.
"I had a few slips – when you're pushing it to the limit, it's bound to happen. At one point, I got a little closer, but that was the most I could manage. I gave it everything I had."
After five laps on a highly demanding and muddy course, Schreiber finished 39 seconds behind reigning and two-time world champion Zoe Backstedt. Despite the 'grueling' nature of the race she still enjoyed it.
"Atmosphere-wise, this was one of the best courses I've ever raced on."
Bronze went to Leonie Bentveld from the Netherlands, who finished one minute and 20 second behind the winner.
For Schreiber, this was her final year in the U23 category. Starting next season, she will compete in the Elite Women's Championships, where she has already established herself among the world's best. In December, she had already celebrated her first World Cup victory.
Reflecting on the season, she is pleased with her achievements: "I achieved everything I set out to do. I think it was about time I reached a podium... it probably should have happened in the last couple of years. But now, I finally have my podium finish, I won a World Cup this season, and I'm ranked in the UCI Top 5. I really can't complain."
Watch the race replay here:
U23 results
1 BACKSTEDT Zoe 45:42
2 SCHREIBER Marie 0:39
3 BENTVELD Leonie Pauwels Sauzen - Cibel Clementines 1:20
4 GERY Célia AS Bike Racing 1:51
5 HOLMGREN Isabella 2:17
6 CHLADONOVÁ Viktória 3:38
7 MULLER Amandine AS Bike Racing 3:59
8 MACLEAN-HOWELL Ella Heizomat Radteam p/b Herrmann 4:23
9 WOLFF Imogen 4:41
10 SPESNÁ Simona 4:48
No luck for Luxembourg's junior riders
Luxembourg's junior riders faced a tougher morning. Just 100 meters into the race, they were caught in a crash, ending the hopes of the national champion Jonah Flammang-Lies and Lennox Papi before the competition had truly begun.
