Lucinda Brand establishes her dominance in Benidorm and wins the overall title of the World Cup

The women's elite race of the Cyclocross World Cup in Benidorm once again confirmed Lucinda Brand's excellent form, as she resolved the race with a demonstration of power and tactical reading on the demanding Alicante circuit. Under the sun and on a fast track with decisive technical sections, the Dutch rider launched her attack at the right moment to break away solo and head towards a new victory this season.

Strategy and Power: Lucinda Brand Wins the Benidorm World Cup

The race started with a very high pace from the first lap. The leading group fragmented quickly, with Amandine Fouquenet, Célia Gery, Shirin van Anrooij, Kata Blanka Vas, and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado taking turns at the front. The long uphill stretch before the finish began to take its toll lap after lap.

During the first half, Brand opted for a conservative strategy, riding in the back positions of the leading group while rivals like Fouquenet and Vas intensified the race. Alvarado, the reigning Dutch champion, also progressed from a slow start, always staying within contact distance despite struggling with the pace changes.

The turning point came midway through the race. Brand decided to make her move with a strong acceleration that left several rivals behind. Only Fouquenet and Gery were able to initially follow her lead, and it was Alvarado who took on the chase shortly after. However, the Dutch rider's push on the final climb ultimately created a decisive gap. With two laps to go, Brand reached the top with about ten seconds of advantage, enough to manage her lead without taking risks.

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Behind her, the battle for the podium kept the excitement alive until the end, with Alvarado holding on and trying to close the gap, while the French riders defended their positions against the pressure from the chasing group.

With this victory in Benidorm, Lucinda Brand reinforces her dominance in the World Cup, is declared the winner of the General Classification, and confirms her status as the absolute reference of women's cyclocross this season, in a setting very different from the classics of the north but which once again rewarded the strongest and most complete rider of the day.

Top 10 – CX World Cup Benidorm 2026 | Women's Elite

1. Lucinda Brand (Baloise Verzekeringen – Het Poetsbureau Lions) – 52:01
2. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix–Premier Tech) – at 10″
3. Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw) – at 12″
4. Célia Gery – at 12″
5. Kristýna Zemanová – at 52″
6. Shirin van Anrooij (Baloise Verzekeringen – Het Poetsbureau Lions) – at 59″
7. Fleur Moors (Baloise Verzekeringen – Het Poetsbureau Lions) – at 1:08
8. Marie Schreiber (SD Worx – Protime) – at 1:14
9. Kata Blanka Vas (SD Worx – Protime) – at 1:25
10. Zoe Backstedt (Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto) – at 1:27