Brand once again the strongest in Dendermonde

Just like in the previous World Cup rounds, Lucinda Brand proved untouchable in Dendermonde as well. After an opening phase in which Fouquenet set the pace and split the peloton, Brand took matters into her own hands. Less than half a lap later, the Dutch rider had moved to the front, ready for yet another solo ride this season. She went on to win ahead of Pieterse and Fouquenet.

Unlike previous editions, there was hardly any mud to be found in the fields of Dendermonde today. A fast race usually keeps the peloton together for a long time, but Fouquenet (Arkea – B&B Hotels Woman) had other ideas. The French champion flew off the line in the opening lap, forcing Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) to dig deep to stay in touch. Young rider Gery also managed to latch on.

In the chase group, Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) set off on a solo pursuit of the race leaders, while Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck) also broke away from the rest. At the start of the third lap, Brand took control at the front and put Pieterse under pressure. Gery was the first casualty of that acceleration and soon found herself joined by Pieterse. Not much later, Fouquenet too had to let the strongest rider in the field go. With six laps remaining, Brand was alone at the front.

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Pieterse had by then dropped Gery and went in search of Fouquenet. At the start of the fourth lap, the Dutch champion bridged the gap to Fouquenet and took over the pace in the chase, a gel in her mouth as she set her sights on race leader Brand. The speed soon proved too much for Fouquenet, which came as little surprise, as Pieterse and Brand were posting almost identical lap times halfway through the race.

Pieterse was unable to fully drop Fouquenet, but Brand continued to power on at the front. While she slightly extended her advantage, the ultra-fast course in Dendermonde made it difficult to pull far clear. She entered the final lap with a 24-second lead over Pieterse and Fouquenet.

In the final lap, Pieterse accelerated on the stairs to open a gap on Fouquenet. She held onto that advantage to secure second place, while Fouquenet finished third. Up front, Brand claimed her 15th victory of the season, further strengthening her lead in the overall standings.