Denise Betsema looks to be finding her best form again after a difficult couple of seasons, with the Dutch rider already collecting four victories in the opening weeks of the new cyclocross campaign.
The 33-year-old enjoyed a particularly impressive weekend with back-to-back wins, first taking the Bauhaus Perlcross in Germany before travelling to France and winning the Brumath Bike Festival C1 the following day. At Brumath she finished 29 seconds clear of Rebecca Gariboldi, with Hélène Clauzel third.
More important than the results, however, is Betsema’s health. The De Ceuster-Bouwkranen rider has struggled with persistent knee problems since being hit by a vehicle during training, but says she is finally able to train and race without pain. She admits the injury had taken a mental as well as physical toll and is now hoping for a consistent season.
Betsema will get a much clearer indication of where she stands when the Belgian season begins at the Mosselcross in Dendermonde. She acknowledges that the field there will be significantly stronger than those she has faced so far.
With riders including Lucinda Brand, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and eventually Fem van Empel providing much tougher opposition, podium places will be harder to come by. But after several frustrating seasons, four early victories and a pain-free knee suggest Betsema may once again be a genuine factor at the sharp end of women’s cyclocross.
