If we were to grant a rider of the decade award for the 2020s, it would go to Dutch rider Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin – Fenix). Alvarado has been perfect in her 4 races thus far in 2020, including a win in the Elite Women’s Dutch Nationals on Sunday.
With Alvarado emerging as the top Dutch rider in a season dominated by Dutch riders, the 21-year-old (racing age 22) faced the decision of whether to race in the U23 or Elite race at Dübendorf Worlds 3 weekends from now.
Ceylin Alvarado faced a choice of racing U23 or Elite at Worlds. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Alvarado has won 12 races this season and finished off the podium only once, so she would enter the Elite race as a strong favorite, but at the same time, she has indicated her desire to win the rainbow stripes after coming up just short in Bogense last February.
After her win at Dutch Nats on Sunday, Alvarado made her decision—she will be racing with the Elites at Worlds.
“After my performance over the past few weeks, we have analyzed everything again. I think as a promise I now get a unique opportunity to compete with the Elites for the rainbow jersey. I also want to seize that opportunity with both hands,” Alvarado said (translated).
Alvarado will enter the race at Worlds as perhaps the favorite, or at least of the favorites along with Annemarie Worst (777) and Lucinda Brand (Telenet Baloise Lions).
Ceylin Alvarado will be looking to improve on her U23 bronze earned in Bogense. 2019 Cyclocross World Championships, Bogense, Denmark. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
In related news, Marianne Vos (CCC – Liv) announced the end of her 2019/20 season after finishing fifth at Dutch Nationals. Via a post on the CCC – Liv team website, Vos indicated she will have surgery for a leg issue.
“The complaints have been around for some time. A recent check-up revealed the cause: a nod in the artery. In consultation with the CCC-Liv medical team, I decided to have surgery performed as quickly as possible. Racing in the Dutch championship wouldn’t physically do any harm. I wanted to prepare myself at rest to be as fit as possible and to go to the limit one more time today.”
The Elite Women’s World Championship race takes place on Saturday, February 1 in Switzerland.
