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
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.
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.
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
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
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
| Pl | Bib | Rider | Team | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 33 | BRAND Lucinda | Baloise Trek Lions | 44:28:00 |
| 2 | 24 | ALVARADO Ceylin Del Carmen | Alpecin - Fenix | 0:04 |
| 3 | 29 | BETSEMA Denise | Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal | 0:37 |
| 4 | 27 | WORST Annemarie | 777 | 1:15 |
| 5 | 20 | VAN EMPEL Fem | Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal | 1:32 |
| 6 | 32 | CANT Sanne | IKO - Crelan | 2:08 |
| 7 | 21 | VAS Blanka Kata | 2:20 | |
| 8 | 29 | ROCHETTE Maghalie | 2:25 | |
| 9 | 25 | HONSINGER Clara | Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld | 3:27 |
| 10 | 21 | CLOUSE Katie | Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld | 3:57 |
| 11 | 20 | MUNRO Madigan | Trek Factory Racing CX | 4:00 |
| 12 | 23 | KAY Anna | Starcasino CX Team | 4:06 |
| 13 | 21 | HARNDEN Harriet | Trek Factory Racing CX | 4:22 |
| 14 | 23 | MCGILL Sidney | 5:33 | |
| 15 | 23 | NORBERT RIBEROLLE Marion | Starcasino CX Team | 5:56 |
| 16 | 31 | NUSS Raylyn | 6:05 | |
| 17 | 33 | BERNSTEIN Caitlin | 6:26 | |
| 18 | 26 | DOBBELAERE Jana | Starcasino CX Team | 6:33 |
| 19 | 19 | COUZENS Millie | 6:58 | |
| 20 | 31 | STEPANOVA Karla | 7:11 | |
| 21 | 20 | DE WILDE Julie | IKO - Crelan | 7:26 |
| 22 | 25 | BASTIAENSSEN Fauve | BNS Technics - Groep T.O.M. | 8:06 |
| 23 | 20 | NELSON Josie | Team Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus | 8:37 |
| 24 | 26 | HEIGL Nadja | KTM Alchemist powered by Brenta Brakes | 9:00 |
| 25 | 19 | KURNICKÁ Tereza | 9:14 | |
| 26 | 31 | MEGALE Anna | 9:25 | |
| 27 | 28 | CUETO VEGA Sara | Unicaja Banco-Gijon | 9:43 |
| 28 | 20 | DEVIGNE Camille | 10:12 | |
| 29 | 20 | BROUWERS Julie | 10:33 | |
| 30 | 19 | OFFEREIN Iris | 11:24 | |
| 31 | 25 | DEFOUR Lara | ||
| 32 | 22 | CASSIERS Cato | Starcasino CX Team | |
| 33 | 24 | BREUGELMANS Rosanne | BNS Technics - Groep T.O.M. | |
| 34 | 28 | KAPTHEIJNS Maud | CX Team Deschacht - Group Hens - Maes Containers | |
| 35 | 20 | GOOSSENS Marthe | ||
| 36 | 37 | GREENHALGH Laura | Velorevolution WP Cycles | |
| 37 | 19 | MANSFIELD Lotta | ||
| 38 | 23 | RODRIGUEZ REVERT Sofia | Teika-Gsport | |
| 39 | 21 | VOS Marlies | ||
| 40 | 21 | BONILLO TALENS Sara | Teika-Gsport | |
| 41 | 21 | BILODEAU Christiane | ||
| 42 | 19 | SCHEVENELS Lies'l | ||
| 43 | 20 | TOOLEY Bridget | ||
| 44 | 23 | DE KEERSMAEKER Audrey | Starcasino CX Team | |
| 45 | 19 | DHONT Kiona | ||
| 46 | 21 | HARTOG Larissa | ||
| 47 | 19 | VAN OS Indy | ||
| 48 | 22 | VAN ROOIJEN Anne | ||
| 49 | 36 | ALAGNA Laura | ||
| DNF | 42 | VAN LOY Ellen | ||
| DNF | 37 | KNAEPS Kim | ||
| DNF | 23 | SCHOKKAERT Febe |
2022 X²O Badkamers Trofee GP Sven Nys Elite Women Photo Gallery:
Denise Betsema briefly challenged for the win before fading. 2022 GP Sven Nys Baal, Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
