Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado has chosen to race in the elite women's category at the upcoming UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Dübendorf, Switzerland after taking home the Dutch national title this weekend.
The Rotterdam native was heartbroken in Denmark last year after being beaten in the women's U23 category by Inge van der Heijden and Fleur Nagengast. The year before she was second to Evie Richards.
"After my performance over the past few weeks, we have analyzed everything again," Alvarado said a press release. "I think as a U23 I now get a unique opportunity to compete with the elites for the rainbow jersey. I also want to grab that opportunity with both hands."
It's an extra incentive to race with the elites because there are few U23-only events in which to display a rainbow jersey from that category.
"The idea that I can wear the rainbow jersey for a year if I win also plays a role. That is also different with a possible title in the U23s."