The next cross in this full Christmas period was also won by Lucinda Brand. On Monday she was the best in Heusden-Zolder. Fem van Empel finished second.
The Superprestige is the most exciting regularity classification for women this year. After five races, the difference between number one Lucinda Brand and number two Denise Betsema is only three points. With only Heusden-Zolder and Gavere ahead of us in February, the denouement in the Superprestige promises to be an exciting one. But then it will be time for Betsema to do something about Brand’s dominance.
In the opening round, the Texel cyclocross rider from Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal was in good shape. After two rounds, Betsema even had a bit of a gap when she decided to push on. Kata Blanka Vas, who, like Betsema, had started well, quickly reported to the wheel of the Dutch.
Annemarie Worst, Fem van Empel, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Manon Bakker and… Brand were not far, however. A lap later, the world champion decided to shift up a gear. That changed the face of the cross on Monday: within a few minutes Brand and Van Empel drove ahead alone, with Betsema leading a group of pursuers within seconds.
Brand wins after a tough duel with Van Empel
The Betsema group could no longer make the connection. As a result, Van Empel and Brand were allowed to compete for the victory. The world champion made a number of frantic attempts to shake off the young Dutchman, but failed. A long sprint turned out to be enough to win.
After Brand and Van Empel, Worst, Van Anrooij and Betsema completed the top-5. As a result, Betsema’s deficit in the Superprestige has risen to seven points.
Superprestige Heusden-Zolder
Results women
1. 
Lucinda Brand
2. Fem van Empel
3. Annemarie Worst
4. Shirin van Anrooij
5. Denise Betsema
6. 
Kata Blanka Vas
7. Inge van der Heijden
8. Manon Bakker
9. 
Eva Lechner
10. Yara Kasteline
