Sunday saw the opening round of the X2O Badkamers Trofee in Oudenaarde, Belgium. On a course that finished on the famed Koppenberg, Lucinda Brand prevailed one week after she won the Superprestige series’ kickoff.
Last season’s X2O Badkamers Trofee
While winning the Trofee in back to back seasons, Brand racked up six victories out of eighth rounds, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado claiming the other two. Manon Bakker, who has six triumphs in the USA this autumn, was overall runner-up.
Brand triumphant in the Lokeren round last season.
Fem van Empel was in her first big race for Specialized-TMRW, and Sara Casasola made her season debut.
Lap 1 started at the bottom of the Koppenberg. The field fought hard for the front. Two French riders, Hélène Clauzel and Amandine Fouquenet, clambered up and over first and charged onto the dry course.
A French duo led early.
Casasola took over the front before the Koppenberg. Brand, Marie Schreiber, Clauzel and Inge van der Heijden were part of the selection that rode with Casasola.
Fem van Empel in new colours.
Schreiber pulled the gang on Lap 2 and van der Heijden couldn’t keep fastened on. Clauzel was under pressure as well.
On Lap 3 of 6, Alvarado led the closest chase group. Schreiber called out to riders her group was lapping. Clauzel toiled through the whole circuit trying to tag back on, but she was still 13 seconds in arrears at the top of the Koppenberg.
Schreiber keeps up the pressure at the front.
Brand made a surge on Lap 4, unhitching Schreiber. Casasola had to scramble to keep up. Brand’s gap was 10 seconds over the Italian going into the penultimate lap. Ultimately, Brand won by 53 seconds.
The next round, Zogge Bollekescross, is in Hamme on November 15.
2026-2027 X2O Badkamers Trofee, Round 1, Oudenaarde
1) Lucinda Brand (The Netherlands/Baloise Lions) 53:29
2) Sara Casasola (Italy/Crelan-Corendon) +0:53
3) Marie Schreiber (Luxembourg/SD Worx-Protime) +1:22