Luxembourg champion Marie Schreiber continued her impressive start to the cyclocross season with victory at Saturday’s HG Cross Berencross in Meulebeke, Belgium.
The SD Worx-Protime rider mastered the increasingly muddy conditions to secure her third win of the season, breaking clear of Aniek van Alphen in the closing stages to finish 15 seconds ahead of the Dutch rider.
World champion Lucinda Brand, who suffered an early crash, recovered to finish third, 30 seconds behind Schreiber, while returning three-time world champion Fem van Empel took fourth.
Schreiber admitted afterwards that she had thoroughly enjoyed the difficult conditions, particularly the arrival of the mud after several dry early-season races.
The victory underlines the Luxembourger’s excellent early form and establishes her as a serious contender for the major races ahead.