Brand finally wins Cyclo-cross World title as Dutch dominate

Lucinda Brand won the Cyclo-cross women's elite title in Ostend, Belgium on Sunday (AEDT).

Lucinda Brand Source: AAP

After three podium finishes in the last three editions of the event, Dutchwoman Brand finally grabbed gold in a dramatic finale.

Brand was neck-and-neck with compatriot Annemarie Worst in the final corners before being handed the upper hand with Worst crashing.

The 31-year-old defeated Worst by only eight seconds, while Denise Betsema took third to complete an all-Dutch podium.

“This means a lot to me," Brand said.

"It’s really special and it’s not sinking in just yet. It’s been a narrow miss on a few occasions and now it’s a narrow win.

“For so many years I’ve been so close. Finally, after such a great season, to finish it off like this is really cool."

“We [Worst and I] crashed into each other and I just touched her elbow or something,” Brand explained.

“Of course, it was the weakest point to touch her, which is why she crashed.

"It was not really nice, but it was also not easy to avoid a situation like this.”

Defending champion Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado (another Dutchwoman) crashed on the opening corner, ultimately taking sixth place, while USA's Clara Honsinger took fourth.