lucinda brand Lucinda Brand describes her World Cup race in Namur as a ‘catch-up race.’ In the end, the leader in the general ranking did reach the podium, but that took a lot of effort.
The Baloise Trek Lions rider had a mediocre start. "That was certainly not the start I had hoped for," Brand told IDLProCycling.com after the race. Immediately after the start, there was a long climb into the field, where Brand had already lost many positions. "Like I was standing still on the climb."
A catch-up race was the only thing that could save her. "Fortunately, I found my rhythm later, which made me race better uphill. Then, you soon start trying to gain places and make more mistakes. So then I could often start all over again." Brand’s back and her age cause slower start
According to Brand herself, the slow start is due to her age and her back. "I’m not the youngest anymore. Then I often have trouble with the first few minutes because you start cold. Starting has never suited me, but completely cooled off full throttle certainly doesn’t. I struggle with my back, and if I ignore it, I have trouble applying power. That combination is not ideal."
Compared to her rivals in Namur, Ceylin del Carmin Alvarado (26) and Puck Pieterse (22), Brand, with her 35 years, is just under ten years older than her two compatriots. Does she notice much of that in the race? "I try to ignore it. I […]
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