Tests rule out serious damage: good news for Lucinda Brand after worrying injury in Niel

The concern for Lucinda Brand's physical condition has given way to some relief. After the World and European champion left the Superprestige in Niel in tears due to an ankle injury, the initial medical tests have ruled out serious damage. This has been confirmed by Sven Nys, head of the Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Poetsbureau Lions, although there is still no date for her return to competition.

Lucinda Brand avoids serious injury after her withdrawal in Niel

The reigning world and European cyclocross champion was at the center of the most worrying moment of the Superprestige in Niel held this Wednesday. She had barely been racing for five minutes when, while tackling a small muddy climb, she lost her line and abruptly placed her right foot, suffering an ankle sprain.

The pain was immediate. Brand tried to continue, but ended up withdrawing in tears, a particularly worrying image that raised fears of a significant injury.

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Her sports director, Sven Nys, then acknowledged that the situation did not look good and that tests were necessary to rule out possible ligament damage. He even expressed his fear of losing the Dutch rider for the rest of the season.

| The race in Niel lasts only 5 minutes for the newly crowned European champion Lucinda Brand. She hits the fence and steps off in tears. #Superprestige Cross HBO Max https://t.co/ekxYrJbPjp

— Eurosport Nederland (@Eurosport_NL) November 11, 2026

However, subsequent news has been much more reassuring. According to Nys himself, speaking to the Belgian media Het Laatste Nieuws, the initial examinations did not detect serious injuries.

"Everything is fine. No serious damage has been detected. She just needs to make sure it doesn't happen again," explained Nys, who also pointed out that it will be important to protect her foot with a bandage.

When will Lucinda Brand return to competition?

Although the results of the initial tests are a relief, it has still not been confirmed when Brand will be able to return to competition. The Dutch rider will need to assess how her ankle progresses before facing the demands of cyclocross again, where continuous support, running, and changes of pace particularly strain this joint.

Her participation in the Merksplas events on Saturday, November 14, and Hamme on Sunday, November 15, remains uncertain for now.

The good news is that, at least according to the initial examinations, the accident does not seem to jeopardize the rest of her season. Brand, who has just been crowned European champion in Zeddam, can now focus on recovery without the serious damage that was initially feared being detected.