Brand had won the first three events of the season to earn the maximum 120 points, leaving her on the verge of being crowned series champion.

The Dutch star was forced to settle for second place in Hulst, as her compatriot Betsema produced an impressive solo effort.

Betsema attacked on the second lap of the race and steadily built her lead throughout the remainder of the contest.

Betsema, who in January 2020 received a back-dated six-month doping ban after twice testing positive for an anabolic androgenic steroid in 2019, completed the seven laps in a time of 53min and 6sec to secure a dominant victory.

She was followed by Brand, who finished 1:02 off the pace in second.

World and European champion Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado completed an all-Dutch podium, finishing seven seconds further back.

The second-place finish gave Brand an unassailable lead in the World Cup standings, as she now sits 42 points clear of Betsema, with only 40 points on offer to the winner of the final event.

Mathieu van der Poel emerged as the winner of the men’s competition, with the Dutchman adding to his first and second place finishes at the past two events.

Van der Poel, who missed the season opener, powered clear of his rivals in the 10-lap event to triumph in a time of 1 hour, 5min and 27sec.

Series leader Wout Van Aert was his closest rival, with the Belgian star ending 1:31 in arrears.

Britain’s Tom Pidcock completed the podium places, crossing the line 1:49 after the winner.

Van Aert’s cushion at the top of the World Cup standings has been reduced to 15 points, with the Belgian boasting 125 to van der Poel’s 110.

A second place finish at the final World Cup in Overijse on January 24 would be enough for Van Aert to seal the World Cup title.