Michael Vanthourenhout and Lucinda Brand opened the 2026–27 Telenet Superprestige with victories at Overijse on Sunday, mastering the demanding Druivencross circuit in contrasting but equally convincing fashion.
In the elite men’s race, Vanthourenhout had to recover from a less-than-perfect start as a competitive group formed at the front. Cameron Mason and Gerben Kuypers were among those setting the early pace, with Kevin Kühn, Witse Meeussen, Niels Vandeputte and Joran Wyseure all involved as the race repeatedly came back together.
With nine riders still closely matched going into the decisive phase, Kuypers launched an attack and briefly opened a gap before crashing heavily on a descent. Wyseure was also caught up in the incident, effectively ending both riders’ hopes of fighting for the victory.
Vanthourenhout seized his opportunity on the penultimate lap. The Belgian produced the fastest lap of the race, attacking decisively and quickly opening a gap that his rivals were unable to close.
He crossed the line in 1:03:18, 15 seconds ahead of Witse Meeussen, with Niels Vandeputte third at 18 seconds. Britain’s Cameron Mason produced another encouraging performance to take fourth, only 20 seconds behind the winner, while Kühn completed the top five.
It was Vanthourenhout’s fourth victory from five cyclocross starts this season and his third career win at Overijse.
Brand dominates the women’s race
Earlier in the afternoon, Lucinda Brand produced an altogether more straightforward demonstration of strength in the elite women’s race.
The reigning world champion made her decisive move on the third of six laps and, once clear, steadily increased her advantage over the chasing group. There was little sign of the back discomfort that had kept her out of Saturday’s race at Heerde.
Aniek van Alphen emerged as Brand’s closest challenger and limited the damage in the second half of the race, but she was unable to bring the leader back.
Brand crossed the line in 48:19, with Van Alphen taking second 17 seconds later. European champion Inge van der Heijden completed the podium at 36 seconds, ahead of Amandine Fouquenet and Denise Betsema.
The victories give Vanthourenhout and Brand the early leads in the Superprestige standings after the opening round, with the series continuing at Middelkerke on 5 November.
