Marie Schreiber's relegation from the women's elite race at the cyclocross European Championships may have been the defining moment of the entire event. Virtually no-one agrees with the UCI's decision, including Lucinda Brand's own coach Sven Nys; and Sanne Cant who told Schreiber to skip the podium.

In an interview with Sporza, cyclocross legend and Marie Schreiber's coach Sanne Cant does not exclude legal action against the UCI: "That’s a possibility. Because we aren’t going to let it rest here."

The three-time World Champion has spent many years in the field as the world's best, and after her retirement has turned to guiding and coaching some of the top young riders. Marie Schreiber is one of them.

In Zeddam, the Luxembourger was on her way to victory. She beat Lucinda Brand in the final sprint, although her sprint was not fully clean. However, her slight movement led the race commissaires to take the decision to relegate her to second place.

Schreiber later did not turn up on the race podium. As it turns out, that decision was partly influenced by Cant, who had also been revolted by the decision.

Marie Schreiber and Lucinda Brand at the 2026 European Championships

Sanne Cant lashes out at UCI

As a result of her absence on the race podium, Schreiber risks having to pay a 500 Swiss Francs fine. "I’ll pay it with pleasure," Cant responded. "In fact, I’ll double the fine—as long as it means the UCI gets to see some money."

The decision has sparked great revolt in the cycling world, with Lucinda Brand herself not contesting the result of the race, and the outcome of the largely being agreed by both riders to not have been affected by the mood.

"It’s truly beyond absurd. I told her not to get on that podium. It’s not out of any disrespect toward Brand, but why would you accept a medal that doesn’t belong to you?" Cant questioned. "Marie is the winner—even Lucinda admitted as much; she didn’t even see anything happen. It was actually the UCI president who claimed to have seen something."

Lucinda Brand's manager disagrees with UCI's decision

But the statements do not only come from Schreiber's camp, but also the Dutch camp. Sven Nys, Lucinda Brand's coach at Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions, argued that there shouldn't have been a relegation.

"It’s a real shame for Schreiber, who, in my view, truly deserved this title," Sven Nys told Wielerflits. Brand's own camp admitted that the title hadn't been hers to take, and Marie Schreiber was the legitimate winner.

"I only saw the sprint myself, and it didn't look like there was much wrong. Sure, she drifted off her line a bit—but is that enough to relegate someone to second place? I find it highly questionable, though the jury has the final say."

The extended decision ultimately benefitted Brand, but ultimately it is a highly contested one. Brand, the reigning World Champion, is also not set to debut the jersey for - the very least - a few months to come.

"Lucinda didn't feel that she lost the race because of Schreiber, either. She never even mentioned it to me—not until the jury stepped in," Nys adds. "It hadn't even crossed her mind, but then again, that’s the rider’s own perspective, isn't it?"

"Still, acting euphoric doesn't feel appropriate given the circumstances. We’re certainly happy with the result, but at the same time, Schreiber truly deserved it as well".