Lucinda Brand (Baloise-Trek Lions) has booked her 3rd victory of the season in Mol. The Dutch top favorite won by force majeure. Teammate Shirin van Anrooij was 2nd, Laura Verdonschot took the last podium spot in front of Sanne Cant.
Could anyone slow Lucinda Brand down? The attraction – in the absence of the other leading actresses – signed for an atypical cannon start, but ultimately opted for a pair time trial with teammate Shirin van Anrooij for 2 laps.
When last year’s winner couldn’t hide her erratic shape curve, Brand went wild. In the 3rd of 6 rounds she started her solo and stormed towards a logical and clear victory.
The battle for the podium was more interesting with Van Anrooij having to argue with Laura Verdonschot and Sanne Cant. The trio played leapfrog and Van Anrooij left the 2 Belgians behind in the final round.
With a long offensive, Cant tried to capture 3rd place, but Verdonschot had the last word.
“I felt good,” the winner responded. “Whether Sven Nys taught me to drive in the sand? He certainly had a share in it,” Lucinda Brand laughed baring her teeth.
“I used to be dramatic in the sand, but today it went well. Although I still don’t like driving in it.”
“I finally had a good start, but maybe I was a bit too enthusiastic,” added Shirin van Anrooij.
“I had a bad round, made too many mistakes and didn’t see Lucinda again. She was simply the strongest. I fell back to 4th place, but luckily I had a good final round in the sand.”
“I didn’t expect it, but it is fun,” Laura Verdonschot concluded the stage conversations. “I thought I would fall off the podium, but I kept fighting.”
“I have been beaten on the line by Sanne many times here and so I had to try with an attack. That worked and that shows that my condition is good, I think.”
