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Cycling: Women’s Elite Criterium de Nei
The organization before the race was a great example. On Monday morning they were informed that Chantal van den Broek-Brack had to withdraw for health reasons. They quickly attracted another top rider, Lucinda Brand. The Dutch woman took the win after a thrilling race. “Now the dust will get on the bikes.”
“On Monday morning we were informed that Chantal van den Broek-Brack had to withdraw for health reasons,” said Raymond Persyn, who represented the organization. “Luckily we were able to get Lucinda Brand. With Lucinda, the spectators got to enjoy the eighth place in the women’s Tour de France. Anyone who watched the final stage on Alpe d’Huez on Sunday could admire her brilliant performance for a long time. She closed the gap between Demi Vollering and Pauliena Rooijakkers on one hand and yellow jersey Katarzyna Niewiadoma on the other. The Polish lady was quick to thank Brand afterwards in her victory speech. The worry is whether she received as much praise from her compatriots.”
“I have to pick up my training bike at home in Dordrecht. I will only move back to Lille when the cross-country season starts again.”
Lucinda Brand
Lidl-Trek rider
“When I was on the plane and got in touch again, I suddenly saw that I had been asked to drive here tonight,” Lucinda Brand tells her story. “I had to see if I could get there on time, because then I had to pick up my training bike at home. That home is currently Dordrecht again. I will only move back to Lille when the cross-country season starts again.” So the 35-year-old rider is not afraid of moving to the Netherlands. “Well, in cycling, every team has its own interests to defend. Of course, there are occasionally not very pleasant reactions on the Internet. But I didn’t receive any unpleasant calls from anyone.”
“Rest now”
How does the Lidl-Trek rider look back on his performance in France? “The whole week went well. My job was to be the team leader, to do the sprints and to be ready for the hills. However, on Sunday, to my surprise, I also managed to hold on up the steep section of the Grandon. That wasn’t really exciting. After all, I immediately realised that I still had to work hard down the hills and in the valleys. Only then does the enjoyment come.” So the straps can now really come off. “The bike is back in the shed. Just let it gather dust. I won’t take it out again for two weeks. Then we’ll prepare for the cross-season. Although I’ll also be taking part in the clay World Cup in advance. But like I said, let’s rest first.”
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