A setback for world champion Lucinda Brand, forced to settle for third place in the traditional HG Berencross in Meulebeke, Belgium. It was the Luxembourgish Marie Schreiber (Team SD Worx-Protime) who topped the field, delivering a flawless performance on a course made particularly challenging by adverse weather conditions.

The race was decided by Schreiber's winning move, as she crossed the finish line with a 15-second advantage over Dutch rider Aniek Alphen and 30 seconds ahead of her compatriot and world champion Lucinda Brand, who was never really able to close the gap.

Positive signs also came from Fem van Empel, returning to competition after a long break from racing. The former world champion finished in fourth place, 35 seconds behind the winner, already showing encouraging form. Fifth place went to Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.

Among the Italian riders, Rebecca Gariboldi was the best finisher in fourteenth place, while Lucia Bramati completed the race in seventeenth position.