The Koppenbergcross in Oudenaarde, Belgium, served as the final dress rehearsal ahead of next weekend’s European Championships in Zeddam, the Netherlands.
World champion Lucinda Brand claimed victory, while Luxembourg champion Marie Schreiber finished third, 1 minute and 22 seconds behind.
Maïté Barthels, the second Luxembourgish rider at the event, finished 25th, more than seven minutes behind the winner.
Schreiber started the race in sixth place but quickly worked her way towards the front during the opening lap. By the first passage across the line, she had moved into third, just three seconds behind the leader.
The second lap was particularly impressive, with Schreiber taking the lead and setting the pace from the front. Her efforts helped break up the field, with only Italian champion Sara Casasola, Brand, and French rider Hélène Clauzel able to keep up. During the third lap, Clauzel could no longer match Schreiber's pace, leaving just three riders at the front.
The crucial moment came during the fourth lap, when Lucinda Brand increased the pace at the front. Schreiber was unable to keep up and was forced to let go, shortly followed by Italian champion Sara Casasola. By the end of the lap, Schreiber was 29 seconds behind Brand, who maintained her advantage to control the final two laps.
Brand ultimately claimed victory with a 53-second lead over Casasola. Schreiber held onto third place, crossing the line 1 minute and 22 seconds behind the winner. Hélène Clauzel finished fourth.
In the junior men's race, French rider Victor Devos claimed victory ahead of Belgium’s Lars Peers. Ben Fleming was the best-placed Luxembourg rider, finishing 19th, 3 minutes and 33 seconds behind. Ben Koenig came 38th, more than five minutes off the pace.
There were 14 starters in the junior women's race. Sarah Koenig finished 11th, more than six minutes behind winner Peggy Knox.
The men’s U23 race was won by Frenchman Aubin Sparfel, who finished 33 seconds ahead of Belgian Giel Lejeune. Lennox Papi was the best-placed Luxembourg rider in 12th, finishing 2 minutes and 29 seconds behind. Dawson Fehlen Pereira took 38th place, over seven minutes back, while Rick Meylender finished 53rd after a difficult race.
1 BRAND Lucinda Baloise Verzekeringen – Het Poetsbureau Lions 53:29
2 CASASOLA Sara Crelan – Corendon 0:53
3 SCHREIBER Marie Team SD Worx – Protime 1:22
4 CLAUZEL Hélène 777tv CX Team 1:44
5 FOUQUENET Amandine Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw Cycling Team 2:02
6 BETSEMA Denise De Ceuster Bouwkranen 2:06
7 ALVARADO Ceylin del Carmen Fenix-Premier Tech 2:18
8 VAN EMPEL Fem Specialized TMRW 2:43
9 ZEMANOVÁ Kristýna Crelan – Corendon 3:21
10 VAN DER HEIJDEN Inge Crelan – Corendon 3:27
