The Elite Women’s cyclocross field has consistently delivered compelling and intriguing racing all season, and Saturday’s race in the sand at Oostende Worlds was no different.
While our thoughts on the racing marinate and we get ready to head into the Media Pit recording studio, we want to turn things over to our man in the sand Ethan Glading for his photo galleries from the World Championships.
Glading braved the sand, surf, and miserable conditions to deliver his latest Big Picture gallery. You can see more from Glading on Instagram @thepenultimatestage .
Sanne Cant found a unique way to keep her helmet dry before the race. © Ethan Glading
Lucinda Brand and Annemarie Worst cruise the start/finish straight before they would go on to race together out on the course. © Ethan Glading
The US Elite Women’s team waits for call-ups together. © Ethan Glading
After Denise Betsema’s typical fast start, Lucinda Brand was already having to lead the chase. © Ethan Glading
Evie Richards and Alicia Franck both got off to fast starts in the chase of Betsema. © Ethan Glading
Kaitie Keough joins a group of chasers on the beach in Lap 1. © Ethan Glading
A few lucky apartments in Oostende had a bird’s eye view of the Worlds course. b© Ethan Glading
Denise Betsema was solo off the front in the first 2.5 laps. © Ethan Glading
Lucinda Brand gives chase of Betsema in the second lap. © Ethan Glading
We told Ethan he wasn’t allowed back to the U.S. ever again if he didn’t get a ship shot, so here it is, your ship shot. © Ethan Glading
Maghalie Rochette finished 16th for Team Canada. © Ethan Glading
Loes Sels finished the afternoon in 27th place. © Ethan Glading
Lucinda Brand continues the chase of Betsema in Lap 3. She would catch her before leaving the sand. © Ethan Glading
Becca Fahringer starts the long stretch along the water in Lap 3. © Ethan Glading
Lucinda Brand and Annemarie Worst chased back and caught Betsema in Lap 3.
Annemarie Worst and Lucinda Brand battle around one of the corners of the hippodrome as they fight for position. © Ethan Glading
Annemarie Worst remounts after hoping off to run one of the steep inclines of the hippodrome. © Ethan Glading
Evie Richards rode her fast start to a 7th-place overall finish. © Ethan Glading
Lucinda Brand celebrates after breaking through and getting her Worlds win. © Ethan Glading
After three straight podiums at Worlds, Lucinda Brand finally got to celebrate a win. © Ethan Glading
Annemarie Worst b© Ethan Glading
It was an all-Dutch Elite Women’s podium at Worlds for the second-straight season. © Ethan Glading
The Dutch flags and Dutch national anthem did a lot of work during the podium ceremonies this weekend. © Ethan Glading