The Dutch CX champion has built a name for herself in road and cyclocross and will be a big boost to both teams for the next two years.
Trek-Segafredo and Telenet Fidea Lions are delighted to announce Dutch cyclocross champion Lucinda Brand will be joining both teams beginning January 1st, 2020. The 30-year-old rider has penned a two-year deal to race on the road with Trek-Segafredo and off-road for Telenet Fidea Lions, a cyclocross team partnered with Trek.
Lucinda Brand, currently racing for Team Sunweb, has shown a consistent level on the road this year, most recently securing multiple podium places in the Giro d’Italia Femminile while finishing in 6th place overall, and 4th in the steep uphill finish in La Course by Le Tour de France. Brand is a versatile rider, excelling in one-day races as well as stage races, and has built a name for herself in road and cyclocross.
Some of her best accolades on the road include winning the GP de Plouay-Bretagne (2014), the National road title two times (2013, 2015), Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (2017), and second place in the Amstel Gold Race (2018), as well as three stage victories in the Giro d’Italia Femminile (2015, 2017). She also won the World Championships team time trial in 2017 with Team Sunweb.
To realize my ambitions on the road, I am making the switch to Trek-Segafredo. I am looking for a team with ambition, professional facilities, and sufficient support. This is not always easy to find in women's cycling, but at Trek-Segafredo I feel these things are done well, and I am also given the freedom to achieve my goals.
Next summer, I really hope to go to the Tokyo Olympic Games. Immediately after the cyclocross season, I want to be present throughout the spring classics until Liège-Bastogne-Liège at the end of April. Combined with my cyclocross calendar, I have good prospects for 2020!
Lucinda Brand, Sanne Cant, and Marianne Vos pictured on the podium after the women's elite race at the UCI world championships cyclocross cycling in Bogense, Denmark.
Even though road cycling is where she started her career and is still her main focus, it is in cyclocross where she has made her most significant impact in the past year. From her seven victories in the 2018-2019 season, three were Telenet World Cups and one a National title. She went on to cap her impressive season with a silver medal in the World Championships and is currently ranked 5th in the UCI World cyclocross standings.
“In the past winters I have already gained some experience in cyclocross,” said Brand. “I love it enormously and would like to do more of it in the future. I want to continue to combine it with racing on the road, the latter staying my main focus for the time being. The combined proposal to ride for Telenet Fidea Lions in the winter and Trek-Segafredo in the summer appealed to me immediately.”
There’s little doubt that Brand will add tremendous strength to Trek-Segafredo’s and Telenet-Fidea Lions’ programs. Her attacking style will fit in perfectly to the Trek-Segafredo approach, and she will be a certain boost in the spring classics after coming out of the cyclocross season.
I am really excited that we were able to sign Lucinda and have her join our team next year. Lucinda is one of those complete riders who can win on any terrain and is never afraid to take her chance. But just as important, she plays a big role in the victory of teammates. She will make us stronger next season and I'm looking forward to working with Lucinda.
- Ina Teutenberg, director Trek-Segafredo
Dutch Lucinda Brand crosses the finish line at the women's elite race at the UCI world championships cyclocross cycling in Bogense, Denmark.
Like compatriot Marianne Vos, Brand’s vast road background paved a grand entrance into the cyclocross world. Where she has yet to go with her new-found ambition is anyone’s guess, but based on her 2018-2019 season, the Telenet Fidea Lions are more than thrilled to have the Dutch champion in their pride.
With Lucinda we’ve added another top rider to our women's team. Lucinda is a very talented athlete and we’re convinced that being part of a specialized cyclocross team will add that last detail to her winter performances. The cooperation between Telenet Fidea Lions and Trek-Segafredo will give her the opportunity to reach her maximum potential, in both disciplines.
- Sven Nys, sports manager Telenet Fidea Lions
