Lucinda Model (Baloise Trek Lions) soloed to her third victory of the 2024-25 cyclocross season within the second spherical of the X2O Trofee, the Rapencross.
After struggling a mechanical on the finish of the primary lap, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck) chased again to take second, 21 seconds behind the Dutch Champion. Sara Casasola (Crelan-Corendon) rounded out the rostrum in third place at 34 seconds.
“I needed to stability between driving as quick as doable to the end, however not going to the restrict as a result of we’re additionally driving in Niel tomorrow,” Model informed broadcasters in keeping with WielerFlits. “However I did wish to achieve seconds. That’s why I misplaced a little bit of focus and began making silly errors. That’s one thing I’ve to be important of.”
“I needed to attempt to make it arduous. It was tough to comply with right here, as a result of you might have a ‘lifeless spot’ within the wheel. That is why it is higher to be on the entrance”, Model added. “I noticed that Ceylin had issues together with her chain, so I knew that. After that she rode a robust race, though I did not know if she was nonetheless holding again with a view to tomorrow. However I feel she rode a robust race.”
Casasola took management of the entrance of the race after getting the holeshot whereas Model had a little bit of a slower begin, positioning herself a bit additional again. By the tip of the primary lap, Alvarado had misplaced time after dropping her chain on the boundaries and moving into for a motorbike change whereas 4 riders separated themselves on the entrance.
Model set the tempo of the lead group which included Laura Verdonschot (De Ceuster-Bonache), Casasola and Annemarie Worst (Fenix-Deceuninck). Behind under-23 cyclo-cross world champion Zoe Backstedt (Canyon-Sram), in her first cyclo-cross race of the season, was chasing solo.
After Worst put in a transfer on an off-camber part, Model put the hammer right down to push the tempo and received away on the steep slope of Mont Henri on the centre of the two.6km course.
With two laps to go, Model had six seconds on Casasola, and 15 seconds of Worst adopted by Alvarado, having chased again to fourth place, after shedding round 20 seconds on the primary lap.
Model did bobble on the bell lap, having to run whereas straddling her bike, however her lead was by no means in jeopardy. Alvarado dispatched Casasola on the climb to take second place.
Verdonschot completed fourth and Worst was fifth.
Outcomes
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