Rochette and van den Ham crack top-20 at Brico Cross Bredene

Only two Canadians took to the start of Brico Cross Bredene on Saturday, but the pair that did took full advantage.

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Another day, another race. This time the #bricocross in Bredene. On a very rolly course, I managed to just barely crack the top-20 and win myself a whole 25 euro ?. I have to say, I’m pretty pleased with how it went. . ? by @cyclephotos . @garneau @eastoncycling @tlccycling @cyclesmartinc @teamisocentric @stillwatermedicalcenter @100percent_bike @actionsportscanopies @orangesealed @kickeraudio @aspencoffeefs @crankbrothers @sdgcomponents @kmcchain @janzentoyota @fusiongraphix @trpcycling @vittoriatires @feedbacksports @theluxebathofficial @allstate @thesneakysocks @ifeelborn_northamerica @elevenspeedcoffee @robertaxleproject

A post shared by Michael van den Ham (@mvdhcx) on Dec 29, 2018 at 11:51am PST

Maghalie Rochette (CX Fever p/b Specialized) led the Canadians, finishing 17th in the elite women’s event at Brico Cross Bredene. On the men’s side, Michael van den Ham (Garneau Easton p/b Transitions Lifecare) just squeezed into the top-20, finishing one place behind American Gage Hecht who finished 19th. The rest of Canada’s Christmas Cross program riders enjoyed a day away from racing during the busy Kerstperiode schedule. The full Contingent of Canucks will be back in action on Sunday, 30 December at Superprestige Diegem.

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After 6 years riding #Liv I will change bike brand from January. Big shout out to @livcycling and @giantbicycles for there support and great bikes and materials! ?? Today it was a hard fight with @loessels for the win in Bredene. Nice to finish 2018 with another victory ?? #sponsoring #creatingmemories #liv #cyclocross #bredene #bricocross

A post shared by Lucinda Brand (@lucinda_brand) on Dec 29, 2018 at 8:32am PST

Lucinda Brand (Sunweb) continued her strong cyclocross stint, winning Saturday’s Brico Cross race in Bredene. It’s the Dutch riders third win in her last four race starts. After her win, Brand made an announcement that after six years on Liv bicycles, she will no longer be riding the brands bikes in 2019.

Loes Sels (Pauwels Sauzen – Vastgoedservice) finished second behind Brand at Brico Cross Bredene. Italian national champion Eva Lechner (Cerafin TUV Sud) placed third. Sanne Cant (IKO – Beobank) and Marianne Vos (WaowDeals) both opted not to race in Bredene.

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Geen 3 zonder 4 ? ©️Photopress.be

A post shared by Wout van Aert (@woutvanaert) on Dec 29, 2018 at 9:35am PST

On the men’s side, Wout van Aert (Cibel – Cebon) took advantage of Mathieu van der poel’s (Crendon Circus) absence to take top honours at Brico Cross Bredene. Quinten Hermans (Telent Fidea Lions) placed second with Jens Adams (Pauwels Sauzen – Vastgoedservice) following just behind in third. British under 23 rider Thomas Pidcock finished sixth racing with the elites, and first non-Belgian in the men’s race.