Denise Betsema continued her flying start to the cyclocross season with victories in two countries in the space of 24 hours, following up success in Germany on Saturday with another win in France on Sunday.
The Dutch rider kicked off her weekend at the Bauhaus Perlcross in Perl, where she dominated the women’s C2 race. Betsema finished 1 minute 19 seconds ahead of Julie Brouwers, with Brouwers’ Charles Liégeois teammate Sterre Vervloet taking third.
There was little time to enjoy the victory before attention switched across the border to Sunday’s Brumath Bike Festival C1 in France.
Once again, Betsema proved the strongest.
The De Ceuster-Bouwkranen rider completed the race in 50:48, finishing 29 seconds clear of Italy’s Rebecca Gariboldi, while French favourite Hélène Clauzel took the final podium place, four seconds further back.
It completes an impressive opening few weeks of the season for Betsema. She had already taken back-to-back victories at the two Bad Salzdetfurth races in September before finishing second at the Kleeberg Cross.
Add victories in Perl and Brumath and her early-season record now stands at four wins from five starts — a fairly emphatic indication that Betsema has arrived for the new winter in form.
The bigger Belgian races may still be a few weeks away, but Betsema is certainly making the most of the early-season calendar.
