Lucinda Brand just keeps getting stronger

At 35 years old with a bad back, you’d think Lucinda Brand would slow down at the end of the most densely packed period of cyclocross racing on the calendar. Instead, the Baloise-Glowi star closed a period of 10 races in 16 days with back-to-back wins. Brand took win No. 6 on the season Saturday with a dominant final lap at a Superprestige bout in Gullegem. For No. 7, she led start-to-finish to win a World Cup race in Dendermonde. Brand has now finished on the podium in a mind-boggling 32 consecutive starts stretching back to January 2024.

“It’s something that I didn’t expect at the beginning of the year, because there are so many riders who are fighting for the podiums, and the gaps in between are smaller,” Brand said after her win in Dendermonde. “I think I should be really proud of what I’m putting down at the moment. I’m not super sure how it’s possible. I think it shows how all-around I am as a rider, that I’m good in all types of races.”

Brand has repeatedly proven that she’s still one of the top dogs in a women’s field that’s becoming increasingly competitive as a rising generation of young stars gets stronger and stronger. Five different women’s riders have won World Cup, Superprestige, or X2O Trofee series races thus far this season. 

But no one has been more consistent than Brand, whose primary competition on the start line is often a decade younger or more. She now leads all three major series, extending her World Cup advantage on Sunday and jumping ahead of previous Superprestige leader Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado by one point on Saturday.

“This year they’re coming, more and more, riders who can fight for a win,” Brand said. “And I think this is something really good. It makes our races way more interesting. Obviously it also makes it harder to fight for the podium, but I knew that already before the season. Of course, you know the young riders are coming, they are riders who were there already who will probably stay on the top. With my preparation, I try to be on top of my weaknesses.”

Brand credits her experience for her ability to stay strong throughout an intense period of racing. Ten races in 16 days takes tremendous fitness, yes, but also otherworldly focus. Riders have finite stores of mental energy. It’s difficult to get motivated for racing day-after-day, even when the body is willing. 

And the body is not always willing. Quietly (and undetectable to anyone who has watched her race this year) she has been battling back pain throughout the cyclocross season. She has had to be diligent and dedicated to rehabbing after every race, which is an especially tough task for a rider who is constantly shuttling from one race to the next.

“I know my body super well, so I know what I can do, what I need to work on. It’s not easy to keep your body in balance,” Brand said. “I put a lot of time and energy in going to the masseur, going to the physio, to the chiropractor. I have had more problems with my back than in other years, and I’ve had pain when getting off my bike and things like that. But somehow, in the busiest period, I got it under control. It’s not gone, but I can handle it [laughs].”

Brand highlighted yet another prosperous period for the Baloise-Glowi Lions. She also added a win in a speedy Superprestige race in Diegem that highlighted her still-growing skill set, which now includes quick-turn circuits. Among the men, Pim Ronhaar and Thibau Nys had second-place finishes in Baal and Loenhout, respectively. Ronhaar also took third-place in Hulst, while Nys rounded out the podium in Diegem and Gavere.

Up next: Finally a (short) break from racing. Cyclocross national championships will be taking place across the map next weekend. The Lions will have riders racing Saturday (Fleur Moors-Women’s Elite) and Sunday (Thibau Nys and Ward Huybs-Men’s Elite) at Belgian national champs, as well as Sunday at Dutch national champs (Pim Ronhaar and Lars van der Haar-Men’s Elite, David Haverdings-Men’s U23).

Brand will forego racing this weekend and relinquish her jersey as the reigning Dutch national champion to give her body some much needed rest. She is looking forward to training camp with the Lidl-Trek squad, which should also serve as good preparation for her bid to win all three major cyclocross series crowns. Even more importantly, a little rest should serve her well for World Championships on Saturday, Feb. 1, in Liévin, France. The 2021 World Champion is itching to wear the rainbow jersey once more. 

“Now that the big, big block is behind, the main focus is going to be the World Championships,” Brand said. “Of course, we want to stay in the lead onofthe World Cup and take that jersey home as well. But the preparation is going to the World Championships, and if the preparation is going well, I’m sure that I have a good chance to take the World Cup home as well.” 

Brand is battling harder than ever to stay at the top of her field. After an incredible two-plus weeks of racing, no one would dare doubt her mettle.