Lucinda Brand starts 2026 by dominating the GP Sven Nyss in Baal

The anticipated battle between Pieterse and Brand did not take place. Lucinda did not hesitate in the X2O Trophy test that kicks off the year, and it took her just half a lap to destroy the GP Sven Nys in Baal on a day of true cyclocross after the arrival of rain and cold in Belgium.

The X2O Trophy is decided after Lucinda Brand's exhibition in the mud of Baal

A new triumphant ride for Lucinda Brand, who is in such great shape that any minor mistake from her rivals is enough for her to take a race like the GP Sven Nys cyclocross in Baal, which has been the starting point for the new year since 2000.

A day when true winter finally arrived in Belgium with the appearance of rain on a really chilly day that allowed the Baal circuit to show its true face as an authentic cyclocross course.

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Jolanda Neff came out strong, trying to surprise from the start, but her strategy did not work against Zoe Backstedt, who stuck to her wheel, and Puck Pieterse, who closed the small gap that opened. Lucinda Brand was closely marking her; it could not be otherwise.

In the frenzy of the race's start, midway through the first lap, Lucinda Brand passed just before a set of stairs and moved into second place. As she approached the stairs, Puck Pieterse, who was coming behind her, slipped on the first step and lost a few seconds that Brand would not waste. One curve later, she passed Jolanda Neff and a few meters further on, she broke away to go solo towards victory.

Jolanda Neff began to lose steam during the rest of the race after her explosive start, first being overtaken by Zoe Backstedt and then by Puck Pieterse, who started to recover lost ground, passing the British rider and going solo in pursuit of Lucinda Brand. This chase did not yield the expected results, as Lucinda Brand maintained a comfortable lead with total control of the race tempo, allowing her to start the new year just as she finished 2025, while mathematically sealing the overall X2O Trophy with two races remaining.

X2O Trophy Classification – GP Sven Nys-Baal

1. Lucinda Brand (Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Postbureau Lions) 42'10''
2. Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) +12
3. Zoe Backstedt (Canyon//SRAM Zondacrypto) +1'30''
4. Jolanda Neff (Cannondale Factory Racing) +2'04''
5. Manon Bakker (Crelan-Corendon) +2'06''
6. Marion Norbert Riberolle (Crelan-Corendon) +2'09''
7. Rafaelle Carrier (Pivot Cycle Ote) +2'59''
8. Puck Langenbarg (Fenix-Deceuninck Development Team) +3'11''
9. Kiona Crabbe +3'35''
10. Vida Lopez de San Roman (US National Team) +3'40''