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The first race of the season, the 2022 GP Sven Nys in Baal, part of the X²O Badkamers Trofee series, certainly started the year with a bang and a slog.

Maghalie Rochette had a fast first lap after winning the holeshot. 2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

Maghalie Rochette had a fast first lap after winning the holeshot. 2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

While Canadian Maghlie Rochette rocketed off the line and led four North Americans in the top 11 in heavy mud conditions, it was Dutch Domination at the front, but not the Lucinda Brand domination we've come to expect this year.

Brand led a lead group of four with Alvarado, Betsema and Van Empel. 2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

Dutch Domination. Brand led a lead group of four with Alvarado, Betsema and Van Empel. 2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

While Brand, Denise Betsema, and Fem van Empel looked fresh just a few hours into 2022, it was two-time winner Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, who did not finish in Zolder, who looked the freshest.

2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

Alvardo looked fresh and challenged for the win. 2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

Soon Brand and Alvarado made it a two-woman race that would come down to who made the fewest mistakes.

Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado had a thrilling battle to the end. 2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado had a thrilling battle to the end. 2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

Alvarado dabbed on an off-camber descent, letting Brand open up a five-second gap, but gradually closed the gap to make contact on the final lap, setting up a potential sprint.

It wasn't meant to be. The two hit one of the last run-ups with lapped traffic ahead. Brand slipped by, while Alvarado was held up for a split second.

https://twitter.com/X2OTrofee/status/1477277066781507591

It was all the advantage Brand would need, and the World Champ hit the pavement with just enough of a gap to avoid a sprint with the defending champ.

Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado had a thrilling battle to the end. 2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado had a thrilling battle to the end. 2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

See the race highlights, photo gallery and results below.

https://twitter.com/X2OTrofee/status/1477321821422862342

Brand was emotional at the finish, with her thoughts on cyclist Amy Pieters, who remains in a coma.

https://twitter.com/X2OTrofee/status/1477285275869097984

 

Full results below.

2022 X²O Badkamers Trofee GP Sven Nys Baal Results: Elite Women

PlBibRiderTeamTime/Gap
133BRAND LucindaBaloise Trek Lions44:28:00
224ALVARADO Ceylin Del CarmenAlpecin - Fenix0:04
329BETSEMA DenisePauwels Sauzen - Bingoal0:37
427WORST Annemarie7771:15
520VAN EMPEL FemPauwels Sauzen - Bingoal1:32
632CANT SanneIKO - Crelan2:08
721VAS Blanka Kata2:20
829ROCHETTE Maghalie2:25
925HONSINGER ClaraCannondale/Cyclocrossworld3:27
1021CLOUSE KatieCannondale/Cyclocrossworld3:57
1120MUNRO MadiganTrek Factory Racing CX4:00
1223KAY AnnaStarcasino CX Team4:06
1321HARNDEN HarrietTrek Factory Racing CX4:22
1423MCGILL Sidney5:33
1523NORBERT RIBEROLLE MarionStarcasino CX Team5:56
1631NUSS Raylyn6:05
1733BERNSTEIN Caitlin6:26
1826DOBBELAERE JanaStarcasino CX Team6:33
1919COUZENS Millie6:58
2031STEPANOVA Karla7:11
2120DE WILDE JulieIKO - Crelan7:26
2225BASTIAENSSEN FauveBNS Technics - Groep T.O.M.8:06
2320NELSON JosieTeam Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus8:37
2426HEIGL NadjaKTM Alchemist powered by Brenta Brakes9:00
2519KURNICKÁ Tereza9:14
2631MEGALE Anna9:25
2728CUETO VEGA SaraUnicaja Banco-Gijon9:43
2820DEVIGNE Camille10:12
2920BROUWERS Julie10:33
3019OFFEREIN Iris11:24
3125DEFOUR Lara
3222CASSIERS CatoStarcasino CX Team
3324BREUGELMANS RosanneBNS Technics - Groep T.O.M.
3428KAPTHEIJNS MaudCX Team Deschacht - Group Hens - Maes Containers
3520GOOSSENS Marthe
3637GREENHALGH LauraVelorevolution WP Cycles
3719MANSFIELD Lotta
3823RODRIGUEZ REVERT SofiaTeika-Gsport
3921VOS Marlies
4021BONILLO TALENS SaraTeika-Gsport
4121BILODEAU Christiane
4219SCHEVENELS Lies'l
4320TOOLEY Bridget
4423DE KEERSMAEKER AudreyStarcasino CX Team
4519DHONT Kiona
4621HARTOG Larissa
4719VAN OS Indy
4822VAN ROOIJEN Anne
4936ALAGNA Laura
DNF42VAN LOY Ellen
DNF37KNAEPS Kim
DNF23SCHOKKAERT Febe

 

2022 X²O Badkamers Trofee GP Sven Nys Elite Women Photo Gallery:

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Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado had a thrilling battle to the end. 2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado had a thrilling battle to the end. 2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

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