On the muddy and sandy course of Zonhoven, Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado demonstrated her unwavering skill, clinching her second victory of the World Cup season 2024-2025. Alvarado, representing the Alpecin-Deceuninck team, delivered a remarkable comeback performance just one day after battling severe stomach issues at the Hulst event, where she finished eighth. "Yesterday I threw up everything twenty minutes before the start. I didn’t expect much anyway," Alvarado shared, reflecting on her tough day. "Today was completely different. I didn’t expect to win, so it makes it even sweeter."
The backdrop for this victory was anything but pleasant. The morning storm had soaked the Zonhoven course, creating treacherous conditions filled with mud and deep sandy ruts. Nevertheless, Alvarado navigated these challenges with finesse. At the start, it was Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM) who soared to the front, extending her lead to over 15 seconds at times. Meanwhile, Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) trailed closely behind, ensuring the race dynamics remained competitive.
With the race progressing, tension mounted as Alvarado began to close the gap on the leaders. She managed to catch up to Brand and Bäckstedt, forcing her way back to the front as they approached the penultimate lap. Alvarado recalled, "I didn’t believe we would catch Bäckstedt, but when Lucinda joined me, I could see she wasn’t too far off. We pushed hard, and soon after, I was there." It was on this lap where fortune played its part; Alvarado’s bike stalled momentarily during a tricky uphill section, but she quickly regained momentum as her opponents struggled to dismount and remount their bikes.
Riding with power and resilience, Alvarado seized the moment and surged to the front. Her quick recovery allowed her to manipulate the tactical missteps of her competitors. "It means a lot. After yesterday’s feeling, today was totally different," she remarked. She completed her laps with impressive speed, finishing five seconds clear of second-place Bäckstedt, who managed to fend off Brand for the runner-up position.
Bäckstedt’s performance was noteworthy as well. This marked her best World Cup result to date, improving from last year when she finished third. "I gave it my all," she commented after the race, taking pride in her ability to fend off Brand amid intense competition. Brand finished the race ten seconds behind the winner and retains her lead overall for the World Cup series, sitting on 155 points.
The race featured not only strong tactical maneuvering but was also laden with setbacks caused by the elements. Annemarie Worst (Cyclocross Reds) fell victim to the course's brutality, crashing out on the second lap and abandoning the race. The once-dominant lead of Bäckstedt faced moments of uncertainty, particularly on the fourth lap, when she lost ground after Brand overtook her—only to be quickly regained by Bäckstedt when Brand encountered her own bike issues later on.
Alvarado, whose previous day had featured nothing but disappointing predictions, recognized the shift: "Especially after the feeling of yesterday, today was completely different. I think I will keep riding well during the World Cups and see what happens over the course of the series." Despite her victory, Alvarado remained cautious about her chances of reclaiming the overall title, indicating the competitive nature of the upcoming races. "I skipped two races and had such a difficult day yesterday, so I think there will be challenges moving forward. Hopefully, I can keep improving," she concluded.
With this victory, Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado reinforces her status as one of the formidable competitors on the cyclocross scene, reminding fans and competitors alike of her tenacity and ability to bounce back from adversity. The anticipation for her next performance is palpably high as the cyclocross season continues to develop, weaving stories of triumph and resilience through the mud and sand of the courses.
