Alvarado wins Brussels Universities Cyclocross

Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin-Fenix) won the Brussels Universities Cyclocross after distancing Annemarie Worst (777) on the final lap, while Sanne Cant (IKO-Crelan) took third.

Alvarado has extended her lead in the DVV Verzekeringen trofee series with just one race to go at Krawatencross in Lille held on February 8.

Worst had the better start and led the field onto the circuit, followed by Cant and Alvarado, but the Alpecin-Fenix rider took over at the front of the race before the end of the first lap.

Several crashes marred the opening laps of the race with Alvarado going down on a descent, while Yara Kastelijn (777) broke a chain and upon trying to turn toward the pits took down Laura Verdonschot. It was reported that Kastelijn crashed a second time, later in the race, along with Eva Lechner, Kata Blanka Vas and Ellen Van Loy.

Once up and running, Alvarado caught up to Worst and the pair raced neck-to-neck toward the victory. Alvarado broke clear and finished nine seconds ahead of Worst. 

Just over a minute behind the leading pair were Cant, Anna Kay (Experza-Footlogix) and Katie Compton (Trek) who were ultimately racing for the third spot on the podium. Cant was the fastest of the three and finished in third place.