Blanka Vas wins Maasmechelen World Cup

Blanka Vas wins Maasmechelen World Cup

‘This win is worth all the sacrifices’

25/01/2025

Blanka Vas has won the Maasmechelen World Cup. Already in the first lap, the 23-year-old Hungarian took the lead. She stayed in the front for the whole cross and then worked it off in the final lap. While sprinting, she held off the upcoming Zoe Bäckstedt. ‘I am incredibly happy with this. I decided to spend a whole winter in Belgium. That was difficult at times. But this victory makes it all worth it.’

Linked cyclists Blanka Vas

Blanka Vas: ‘After three years, I am finally back at the top. I always kept believing in it. I made a lot of sacrifices and the hard work was all worth it. This win feels like the reward for all my hard work. Where, among other things, did I make the difference? On the technical tricky passage. I had practised this one hard. Yesterday I did a reconnaissance of the course and I did that passage five times in a row to get the hang of it. It was also smart that I only changed bikes once. That's how I managed to get back to the front in the end.’

‘It was a really close battle with Zoe Bäckstedt and Lucinda Brand. Just before the last ascending run section, I thought for a moment that I had the win inside. But after the descent I looked back and saw Zoe coming much closer again. Fortunately, I still had the legs to squeeze out a good final sprint. Whether I will enjoy it now? Not yet. Tomorrow with Hoogerheide a new World Cup and next week the World Championships are on the programme. So the focus now is mainly on recovery. Once the World Cup is over, I will take the time to enjoy myself for a few days. Because this win means a lot to me.’

Sport Director Christian Kos: ‘What a race by Blanka Vas. Already in the start she was very eager. I could see it immediately in her eyes that she really believed in it fully. She also started the race super. She was in front when the differences were made. She also showed grinta to keep fighting for her place at the front. And in the end, she came out on top. This is a great win for Blanka Vas and Team SD Worx-Protime. Marie Schreiber had bad luck and punctured at the wrong time, immediately dropping back several places. Apart from that, she rode a solid race. For Blanka Vas, however, it was a top day.'

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