Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) took her first win of the season at Kortrijk. The Dutch world champion beat Celine Alvarado in a royal race. Denise Betsema completed the podium and took first place in the X²O Cup from Fem van Empel. Didn’t ride the city cross. “It was a tough cross but it was definitely worth it,” Voss said.
Watch: The final lap and sprint between Vos and Alvarado
Blitzstart Zoë Backstedt
Van Empel, Van Anrooij and Pieterse – all 22 young springers – weren’t at the start in Kortrijk, with even the younger Zoë Bäckstedt making good use of their absence. The 18-year-old’s top talent shot like an arrow from a bow at the start. She was leading for nearly a full lap at Kortrijk.
Enemy Royal Vos vs. Alvarado
Just before the end of the opening lap, Lucinda Brand took the lead from Zoe Backstedt. The Dutch had won the previous three editions in Kortrijk.
Did not book a fourth victory. Brand allowed himself to make a lot of mistakes because of it. After jumping next to her bike, she had to let her competitors ride.
That competition heard the names of Betsema, Voss and Alvarado. The first to take care of the head.
Like a kamikaze, because when Alvarado attacked from the third position, Betsema had to pull over. With first place in the ranking as a consolation prize.
Alvarado attempted to have Vos released, but was unsuccessful. Not even in a sprint on the Groeninge Bridge. Voss remounted Alvarado and won by 2 lengths.
The world champion scored her first victory of the season (6 crosses). Sanne Cant finished fifth after a great race.
Voss: “Very fast game today”
“It was a very fast race today, because Betsema picked up the pace right away,” he gasped Marian Fox Then.
“I knew Alvarado was going to try something on the last lap, so I wanted to stay as close to her as possible. In the end we stayed together, and then we came up to the sprint on the last straight.”
“It’s a big boost. It’s always nice to win and I’m glad I was able to come on so well today. It was a difficult cross, but it was definitely worth it.”
Betsema: “Maybe I should have raced smarter”
“I am definitely satisfied. It was difficult because Voss and Alvarado fought.” Dennis Betsemawho takes over from the absentee Wim Van Embel.
“I was hoping to get away from the lead, but they were real
strong. Maybe I should have been a little smarter. “
“Brand was also very good in the last round, so I didn’t want to let her come back. I hope now I can stay firmly in the lead in the standings.”
Alvarado: “The loss of Marianne is not a catastrophe”
“It was tough today. I knew it would be hard to beat Marianne in the sprint, so I tried to pull away on the last lap.” Celine Alvarado Again in second place.
“It wasn’t easy today, on a fast circuit. I was glad I could still make the connection. The loss hurts, though not a catastrophe for Marianne of course.”
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Watch: The final lap and sprint between Vos and Alvarado
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WATCH: Lucinda Brand crashes
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