Marianne Vos sprints to victory in Rucphen

Marianne Vos has won the 10th round of the UCI cyclo-cross World Cup in Rucphen. The Dutchwoman beat world champion Lucinda Brand in a sprint between the two.

No snow or mud in Rucphen in the Netherlands, but a dry and fast course. Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma Women) was the first to take off into the field while Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) following in her tracks. Vos immediately set a high tempo and gaps soon appeared. Only Brand, Van Empel and Pieterse could follow her.

Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal) missed her start and had to make up ground. At the end of the first lap, she followed together with Annemarie Worst and Inge van der Heijden 10 seconds behind the leaders.

Brand and Vos kept the tempo high so that Van Empel and Pieterse had to close some gaps, but the four stayed together. Turning onto the road to the finish the four at the front fell silent. Worst and Betsema were able to join them after a long chase. Betsema herself took the lead immediately, but she could not force a difference either.

At the end of the penultimate lap Marianne Vos wound her in. She entered the last lap together with Denise Betsema and Lucinda Brand. It was the world champion who set the pace. She tried to fight off her rivals, but Vos did not fold. The decisive move came in the last straight. Vos beat Brand to the finish. Betsema joined them on the podium. Lucinda Brand remains leader in the general classification.

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