Belgium's Lentel Huys used her power on the daunting 99 stairs of Zeddam's course to stamp her authority on the junior women's race on Saturday morning, as the UEC European Cyclo-cross Championships in Zeddam in the Netherlands officially got underway.

The host nation had high hopes for glory, and Isis Versluis flew the flag for the Dutch, leading into the field from the green light. She was joined by her compatriot Nynke Jochems, along with another pair of pre-race favourites, Huys and Shana Huber (Switzerland), the four leading the charge following the opening lap.