Lidl Trek has announced that multi-discipline veteran Lucinda Brand has signed a contract extension that will keep her as a "key pillar of the team" through 2025. The Dutch rider, who is entering her fourth season with the WorldTour team, will combine her role as road captain for Lidl Trek and the cyclocross program with the Baloise Trek Lions team for two more seasons.

"The most important thing is that I have found my place within the Lidl Trek team," he said.

"It's a real honor to be able to combine road racing and cyclocross with Lidl Trek and Baloise Trek Lions. The support I receive from both of them, who are super supportive in making it happen, is incredible. It gives me a great environment and the perfect balance and freedom to move between the two disciplines."

His off-road success culminated in 2021 when he won world and European titles in cyclocross. In seven World Championships in cyclocross, Brand has never finished higher than fourth, and last season he won a bronze medal in his home town of Hoogerheide.

Most recently, Brand took his first road stage win of the season at the Baloise Ladies Tour time trial and moved into the overall lead. It was also the 34-year-old Brand's first time trial victory in a race in her 15-year career.

Brand made his first appearance in the Tour de France Fam Avec Zwift and stood on the start line with six teammates at the start in Clermont-Ferrand on Sunday.

"I am as ambitious as ever. The sport has grown a lot since I first turned pro and I have a long way to go in my career and a lot to accomplish. One of those big goals will soon be accomplished when I join my teammates at this year's Tour de France Femme," she said.

Brand heads into the eight-day Grand Tour with four podium finishes in the Baloise Ladies Tour. In the spring, she finished in the top 12 in Paris-Roubaix Femme and the Tour de Flanders.

"Lucinda has been an important pillar of our team and we are very pleased to have reached an agreement to renew her contract and re-sign her for another two years," said sport director Ina Toitenberg. She is a real asset to the team, a rider who can win on her own and make the most of her opportunities when they arise, as well as a rider who can lead her teammates to victory."