We are preparing for the absolute highlight of the cross season: the World Championships in Hulst. Lucinda Brand dominated almost the entire season among the women, but just before the World Cup there are suddenly doubts. Her team boss Sven Nys makes a few things clear.
READ ALSO:
Unrest around Lucinda Brand towards the World Cup: Wellens sees alarm signals
No problem towards the World Cup
No fire in Hoogerheide, the Dutch gave up in the end. For example, she had problems with her calf, she wrote on social media. Logically, a number of questions immediately arose as to whether this problem could keep Brand away from the world championship next weekend.
However, according to Nys, that will not be the case. “I think it’s not too bad,” says the one at In de Leiderstrui. “She had a blow to her calf on Saturday, I think she hit something somewhere, a pedal or something. As a precaution and with an extra day of recovery, she decided not to drive.”
However, there is no panic towards the World Cup. “There will be nothing that will prevent her from getting the most out of her capabilities at the World Cup,” said Nys, who maintains absolute confidence in his rider.
“I think Lucinda will be back at the level at which she won in all those competitions. But I do think that Pieterse and Alvarado will be very important and tough competitors,” at the same time the competition is certainly not underestimated.
‘All trust is gone’
Nys tries to keep the peace, while Bart Wellens managed to cause unrest with words in his column at Het Nieuwsblad. “I feel like there is panic. Has she driven too much? I don’t dare say. I fear that Lucinda Brand’s confidence has completely disappeared,” the voice sounded quite sharp.
“Actually, her problems only started after that fall in Zonhoven. But last week, in Benidorm, she seemed completely back to her old self. So I don’t think she rode too much. But the others rode significantly less: Pieterse, Alvarado…”, Wellens seems to see an advantage for them at the World Cup.
