In Belgium and the Netherlands, multiple-time champion Eva Lechner will say goodbye to her long and glorious World Cup adventure. The races in Maasmechelen on Saturday 25 in Belgium, and Hoogerheide in the Netherlands on Sunday 26, will be the last two World Cup challenges for the 39-year-old from Bolzano. And her farewell will be on the Hoogerheide track where Lechner narrowly missed the world champion jersey with second place in the 2014 world championship and where she won her first World Cup race in 2015.
The Bolzano native, who represents the Modena-based Ale Cycling Team, comes from the Italian championships in Faé di Oderzo. "Physically I was feeling good, I could have fought for a podium spot, but I had some technical problems that significantly held me back. Now in Belgium and the Netherlands, I'm going to race my last two World Cup events, carrying with me many beautiful memories. My condition is quite good, I'll try to do my best, I'm very happy to be able to return to racing in the Cup and enjoy these two final appointments. I thank the team, Ale Cycling Team, which gives me the opportunity to compete".

(in the photo by Alessio Pederiva, Lechner competing in the national race)