A simply impeccable start to the year for Lucinda Brand, who in the first race of 2026 delivers an impressively powerful performance. The Dutch rider from Baloise Verzekeringen Het Poetsbureau Lions literally dominated the Sven Nys Grand Prix in Baal, Belgium, making her mark from the very first lap.

Brand immediately broke away from her competitors, transforming the race into a long solo ride lasting almost forty minutes. An unsustainable pace for everyone, which allowed her to cross the finish line with a significant margin. Behind her, Puck Pieterse (Fenix–Premier Tech) and Zoe Backstedt (Canyon–Sram Zondacrypto).
Notable is the excellent performance of the very young junior Giorgia Pellizotti, who finished in twelfth position, first among the Italian riders in the race.