UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Hulst: Betsema takes solo win

Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) took a solo victory at the fourth round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Hulst on Sunday. She beat series leader Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) by 1:02 after seven laps of racing, as world champion Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin-Fenix) finished third at 1:09.

"This felt a bit like home with the dikes, wind and cold," Betsema said after the race. "I was totally in my element. The fact I was able to go further and further after lap two gave me extra motivation.

"This motivates me," she added, referring to the margin of her victory. "I think it says something, but the Dutch women are very close in ability. It could be a very exciting World Championships."

Betsema, who had taken wins in Beringen, Bern and the X2O Scheldecross previously this season, was at the front from the opening lap in Hulst. The 27-year-old led the way along with Alvarado, 777's Annemarie Worst, and Doltcini-Van Eyck-Proximu rider Blanka Kata Vas, who won yesterday in Gullegem.

Brand, meanwhile, suffered a slower start and was forced to play catch-up, joining the leaders on lap two. But the group wouldn't stay together for long, with Betsema keen to push on through the mud.

The Dutchwoman attacked on that second lap, distancing Brand, Alvarado and Worst quickly and efficiently, and building a gap of 10 seconds in no time. Even an unforced change of bikes couldn't slow her down as she kept extending the lead as the laps went by.

Brand jumped away from the chasing trio mid-race, but she wasn't able to eat into Betsema's lead, and by the fifth lap the lead trio had all separated themselves, with Alvarado solo in third place.

Further back, Worst had fallen in a tough and technical part of the course and was forced to roll home in fourth place, while there was some late drama as Brand lost traction and fell on the final lap, ceding some time to Alvarado.

The world champion put in a valiant effort to get in sight of her compatriot, but there wasn't enough time left to close the gap fully, and Alvarado had to settle for third, over a minute after Betsema had celebrated her victory.

Elsewhere, Marianne Vos rode her first race in Jumbo-Visma colours. Having only begun here 'cross campaign in Essen on December 22, she wasn't yet in top form and would cross the line in 11 th place, 3:05 back.

With one round of the World Cup left to run – in Overijse on January 24 – Brand has now sealed overall victory in the series. She had 150 points and a 42-point lead over Betsema, with 40 points up for grabs for the winner of the next race. Alvarado lies third on 102 points.