Cycling: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado beat Lucinda Brand in the sprint at the cross-tie in Lille. However, they were able to extend their overall lead in the X2O Badkamers Trofee. Laurens Sweeck triumphed in the men's category. Despite a few mistakes, Eli Iserbyt is close to overall victory.
Sweeck is in a class of its own in the snow
The Krawatencross in Lille was a clear victory for Laurens Sweeck. The Belgian gave his competitors no chance on the snow-covered course. He pulled away in the first lap and never relinquished his position. Fellow Belgian Michael Vanthourenhout finished second, ahead of Dutchman Corné van Kessel . Eli Iserbyt continues to lead the overall standings of the X2O Badkamers Trofee , despite finishing fourth today due to a few mistakes.
Daily classification of the X2O Badkamers Trofee in Lille
1. Laurens Sweeck (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal)
2. Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) +0:09
3. Corne van Kessel (Tormans) +0:14
4. Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) + 0:31
5. Quinten Hermans (Tormans) +0:37
Overall ranking of the X2O Badkamers Trofee after 7 out of 8 runs
1. Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal)
2. Toon Aerts (Baloise Trek Lions) +3:03
3. Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) +3:11
THE BEST! @LaurensSweeck went to the zege in the #KrawatencrossLille #x2obadkamerstrofee . Michael Vanthourenhout and Corné van Kessel like me on the podium op. pic.twitter.com/TcD5cXqsmS
— X²O Badkamers Trofee (@X2OTrofee) February 7, 2021
Carmen Alvarado wins exciting four-way battle
In a thrilling women's race, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado narrowly prevailed. The European champion entered the final straight alongside world champion Lucinda Brand and ultimately came out on top. Sanne Cant had dominated the race for much of the way. The Belgian champion was in control for long stretches but suffered a flat tire just before the finish and dropped back to fourth place. Denise Betsema finished third , completing an all-Dutch podium. Lucinda Brand continues to lead the overall standings before the final race in Brussels. Only Denise Betsema could challenge her for the title there.
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado:
"I don't know if I can talk. I have a frozen jaw. I expected Lucinda to see it through to the end, but she had to sit down and I was able to keep sprinting. It wasn't just an exciting final lap. It was an exciting race.”
Daily classification of the X2O Badkamers Trofee in Lille
1. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin – Fenix)
2. Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) +0:00
3. Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) + 0:13
4. Sanne Cant (Iko – Crelan) +0:20
5. Annemarie Worst (777) + 0:31
Overall ranking of the X2O Badkamers Trofee after 7 out of 8 runs
1. Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions)
2. Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) + 0:41
3. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin – Fenix) +4:40
4. Yara Kastelin (Credishop – Fristads) + 7:34
5. Annemarie Worst (777) + 8:12
The sprint for the ladies elite in #Lille was Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado Lucinda Brand performed in a magnificent sprint!! #kravatencross #X2OBadKamersTrofee pic.twitter.com/bjVQhudtNg
— Ton Heijstek 🇳🇱 (@TonHeijstek1) February 7, 2021