Lucinda Brand claims fourth victory in Merksplas

Lucinda Brand claimed her fourth victory in the Telenet Superprestige round in Merksplas. Having previously won in 2020, 2021 and 2025, she proved to be the strongest once again this year. Inge van der Heijden and Sara Casasola completed the podium.

The renewed course in Merksplas made for a fast race. Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw CT) made the best start, but the peloton remained largely together for a long time. Lap after lap, the sizeable leading group gradually became smaller.

On the fourth of eight laps, Lucinda Brand (Baloise Verzekeringen – Het Poetsbureau Lions) made the first significant move. With an impressive passage through the sandpit, she took the lead, followed by Casasola (Crelan-Corendon), van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon) and Betsema (De Ceuster Bouwkranen).

Brand clearly showed she was the strongest and struck again in the sandpit one lap later. Casasola and van der Heijden initially managed to follow. Casasola then took the initiative, but the leading group was joined once again by several riders, including Van Empel, Van Alphen and Bentveld.

The decisive move came on the final lap. Once again, Brand was the only rider to negotiate the sandpit without making a mistake. She finally opened up a gap and secured her fourth victory in Merksplas. Van der Heijden crossed the line in second place, with Casasola completing the podium.