“It's disrespectful to steal the biggest moment of my career”: Schreiber accuses officials of robbing her of the title, with even Sven Nys questioning the penalty

The decision that left Marie Schreiber without the European cyclocross title continues to provoke reactions. The Luxembourger has harshly criticized the commissioners, her coach Sanne Cant warns that she does not intend to let it go, and even Sven Nys, head of Lucinda Brand's team, admits he has serious doubts about the sanction.

Schreiber breaks her silence after losing the European Championship: "They have stolen the most important moment of my career"

The controversial outcome of the 2026 European Cyclocross Championship continues to generate controversy. Marie Schreiber crossed the finish line ahead of Lucinda Brand, but the commissioners decided to relegate her to second place for altering her trajectory during the sprint. A decision that made Brand the European champion and is now being questioned even from the winner's own circle.

Schreiber, 23 years old, appeared visibly affected before the media after losing what would have been the greatest triumph of her sports career.

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"Everyone knows I won. If it had been decided by two centimeters, I could understand it, but this is a lack of respect", declared the Luxembourger to media outlets such as Sporza, HLN, and WielerFlits.

The rider acknowledged that she had slightly moved to the left during the sprint, but denied that her intention was to block Brand's path.

"It's a sprint after 50 minutes of competing at maximum, you arrive with 190 beats per minute. I shifted gears and saw that I had moved a bit to the left, but I think it's normal to move. I didn't deliberately block her. Lucinda said so too. I think it's a lack of respect to steal the most important moment of my career."

Sprints don't get any closer than that Marie Schreiber holds off Lucinda Brand to win the European Cyclo-cross Championships title https://t.co/84FjGiBPgp

— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) November 7, 2026

Schreiber also explained what happened during the review of the footage, in which both riders were able to present their version.

"We reviewed the footage and then Lucinda and I gave our points of view. Lucinda said she hadn't done anything wrong and that, in any case, she wouldn't have been able to overtake me. I appreciate her saying that, but it doesn't change the commissioners' decision."

Sanne Cant criticizes the decision and points to the UCI president

The most forceful reaction has come from Sanne Cant, former world champion in cyclocross and Schreiber's coach at SD Worx-Protime.

"We are all angry, disappointed, and devastated. It's the most ridiculous decision I've ever heard. I've competed for many years and I've never experienced anything like this", she declared to Sporza.

Cant considers it disproportionate that a small deviation during a sprint can determine the outcome of an entire European Championship. Furthermore, she recalled that in road cycling, much more risky maneuvers occur that do not always receive sanctions.

But one of her most striking statements was related to the origin of the investigation. According to Cant, Brand did not file any complaint and it was the UCI president himself who pointed out the alleged irregularity.

"It was really the UCI president who saw it. But I have no idea what he thinks he saw", she stated.

The coach also rejected the idea that a completely straight trajectory can be demanded in a cyclocross sprint.

"Maybe he should try sprinting himself on a cyclocross bike with one hand on the handlebars. You're never going to go perfectly straight. I think the road was wide enough to overtake."

Even Sven Nys questions the sanction that awarded gold to Lucinda Brand

The most surprising aspect of this controversy is that the doubts do not only come from Schreiber's circle. Sven Nys, head of the Baloise-Het Poetsbureau Lions, Lucinda Brand's team, admitted to In de Leiderstrui that he also does not fully understand the commissioners' decision.

"Lucinda came directly to see me after the finish and told me that Schreiber deserved to win because she was faster in the sprint."

Nys explained that they had initially accepted the defeat and that it was the subsequent intervention of the jury that completely changed the situation.

Although he avoided directly attacking the commissioners and acknowledged that they could have reviewed more footage, he posed a question that summarizes much of the controversy:

"Yes, she deviates a bit from her trajectory. But is it really enough to relegating someone to second place in a championship?"

The Belgian admitted that the outcome left an uncomfortable feeling even for his own team.

"Sometimes high-level sport is cruel. Both deserved it, but one of them goes home disappointed. That leaves mixed feelings."

Schreiber refused to go on the podium and her team does not rule out further actions

The controversy did not end with the publication of the official results. Schreiber decided not to attend the medal ceremony, where she was supposed to collect the silver.

The Luxembourger acknowledged that she initially considered going to the podium to avoid criticism, but ultimately chose to express her disagreement with the decision.

"I thought about going to the podium because I believed everyone would hate me if I didn't go. But if they treat me like this, I owe them nothing. It's already hard to be here right now, so it would be even harder to be on the podium."

Sanne Cant confirmed that she was the one who advised her rider not to participate in the ceremony.

"I told her she shouldn't go up. It's not because we don't respect Lucinda, but because you shouldn't accept a medal that doesn't belong to you."

Schreiber's absence could have additional disciplinary consequences, although there is currently no confirmation of any new sanction. Cant even stated that she would be willing to accept a possible fine.

"I would gladly pay that fine. I would even double it if it means the UCI can make a little more money."

The coach ended by making it clear that her team does not consider the matter closed: "We are not going to let it go."

For now, Lucinda Brand remains officially the 2026 European cyclocross champion and Marie Schreiber is in second place. There has been no confirmation of a formal appeal against the decision or that the result will be reviewed.

The controversy also leaves an open question about the criteria that commissioners should apply in sprints. No one disputes that Schreiber slightly altered her trajectory, but both her circle and Sven Nys himself question whether that movement was enough to change the outcome of a European Championship.