Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado claimed a thrilling victory in the women’s Superprestige Ruddervoorde today, out-sprinting Fem van Empel and Lucinda Brand in a dramatic finish. This win marks Alvarado’s fourth victory at Ruddervoorde, with the Dutch rider showcasing her ability to dominate on any course, whether muddy, dry, or fast.
The race started with Lucinda Brand making a surprising move in the opening lap, attacking solo and building a small gap on a chase group that included Alvarado, Van Empel, and Sara Casasola. Brand’s early aggression paid off initially, but by the third lap, the leading quartet was established as they reeled her back in. Inge van der Heijden and Laura Verdonschot briefly threatened to join the group, but Brand wasn’t content to wait around and surged again on the penultimate lap.
At this point, Brand opened up a gap on her rivals, but Alvarado, showing her strength and tactical awareness, clawed her way back to the front. The final lap turned into a two-woman contest between Brand and Alvarado, with Van Empel charging hard to get back into the mix after being distanced earlier.
A crucial moment came when Alvarado suffered a small slip, momentarily giving Brand a chance to escape once more. However, Alvarado managed to recover and stay on Brand’s wheel, keeping the pressure high. In the background, Van Empel was closing the gap with a determined effort, setting up a dramatic final kilometre where all three riders were together.
Alvarado made her decisive move on the last bend, taking the best line and sprinting powerfully to the finish. Behind her, Brand appeared to be set for second place but made a costly mistake by easing off her sprint just before the line. Van Empel, realising the opportunity, surged through to take second, leaving Brand to settle for third.
After the race, Alvarado reflected on the tense final laps, explaining, “It was all or nothing today. I thought my crash might cost me the podium, but I managed to slow everyone down and then ride away again. It was everything or nothing until the finish, and it worked out well.”
Meanwhile, Van Empel, who had come into the race as the favourite after her recent win in Beringen, admitted she wasn’t feeling as sharp as usual. “My focus wasn’t quite where it needed to be,” she said. “Ceylin was definitely the strongest today, and she deserved the win. I gave it my all and am happy with second place.”
For Brand, who had been in a winning position more than once during the race, the result was a tough lesson. “I made the stupidest mistake you can make,” she said, referring to her decision to stop sprinting before the finish. “I looked back, and it seemed like Fem wasn’t sprinting anymore, but even at my age, I can still learn.”
The result leaves Alvarado in the lead of the Superprestige series, as the women’s season promises more dramatic battles to come.
2024 Women’s Superprestige Ruddervoorde result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Photo Credit: GettyJoran Wyseure claims first major victory in the men’s race
In the men’s race, Joran Wyseure powered to his first top-level cyclocross victory, triumphing in miserable conditions at the Superprestige Ruddervoorde. The 23-year-old Belgian rider went clear on the penultimate lap and held off his rivals to secure the biggest win of his career so far.
The race began with Wyseure leading from the first lap, alongside a group that included Niels Vandeputte, Michael Vanthourenhout, and Kevin Kuhn. Behind them, the chase group featured riders like Thibau Nys, Lars van der Haar, and Felipe Orts, but the race soon evolved into a five-man contest at the front, with Orts dropping out after a mechanical issue.
The decisive moment came three laps from the end when Gerben Kuypers attacked, splitting the front group and leaving Van der Haar in difficulty. Wyseure and Vandeputte eventually bridged across to Kuypers and Vanthourenhout, setting up a tactical battle for the remainder of the race.
With two laps to go, Wyseure saw his chance and attacked, gaining a crucial gap. “I didn’t want to let it slow down too much at the front,” Wyseure said after the race. “I slipped away and quickly built a gap. I rode my own pace and line, and even after a small slip, I was able to carry on and stay ahead.”
As the leaders hesitated behind, Wyseure extended his advantage, though Vandeputte made a late surge to close the gap. In the end, Vandeputte’s final sprint brought him within metres of Wyseure, but it was too late to change the outcome. Wyseure crossed the line alone, celebrating his first major win, with Vandeputte finishing second and Vanthourenhout third.
Reflecting on his victory, Wyseure was ecstatic. “It was almost black in front of my eyes when I crossed the finish. This is incredible,” he said. “I was in good form last week in Beringen, and today I had a fantastic start. Midway through, I didn’t feel as good, but when it slowed down at the front, I knew it was now or never.”
Wyseure’s victory marks a significant moment in his young career, as he now leads the men’s Superprestige series.
2024 Men’s Superprestige Ruddervoorde result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Getty
