© BELGIUM
Fem van Empel clinched victory at the World Cup Cross in Benidorm, showcasing her dominance in the final lap. The 22-year-old reigning world champion surged ahead, securing her position to initiate the sprint. Her strategic move left Lucinda Brand trailing behind, unable to close the gap. Marie Schreiber rounded out the podium, finishing in third place.
Schreiber onc again proved his dominance, riding alongside Van Empel, Backstedt, Bentveld, Vas, Van der Heijden, and Alvarado. Meanwhile, belgian champion Norbert Riberolle struggled early on, entering the field in sixteenth place, while Vos lagged further behind in nineteenth.By the second lap, a leading pack of twelve cyclists had formed, setting the stage for an intense competition.
Midway through the race, Brand made a remarkable comeback to the front after recovering from an earlier error. the relentless pace caused the leading group to shrink significantly. After thirty minutes of grueling cross-country racing, only four riders remained at the forefront: Brand, Alvarado, van Empel, and Vas. Alvarado eventually fell back, but the pace soon slowed, allowing the lead group to expand to ten riders.
As the race approached its climax, Van Empel, Brand, Schreiber, Vas, and Vos emerged with a narrow lead. Van Empel unleashed a blistering pace in the final stretch, leaving no room for competitors to challenge her in the sprint. Brand secured second place, trailing her compatriot, while Schreiber claimed the third spot on the podium. Vos finished fourth, just ahead of Vas.
This section includes embedded content from a social media platform that requires permission to access cookies. you have not granted this permission.
Fem van Empel, the 22-year-old Dutch cyclocross sensation, continues to solidify her dominance in the sport wiht yet another impressive victory at the World Cup Cross in Benidorm. As the reigning world champion, van Empel showcased her tactical brilliance and physical prowess in the final lap, surging ahead to secure her position and initiate the sprint. This strategic move left her closest competitor, lucinda Brand, trailing behind and unable to close the gap. Marie Schreiber rounded out the podium, finishing in third place [[2]].
Van Empel’s performance in Benidorm is a testament to her competitive spirit and ability to remain unfazed under pressure. Interestingly, she admitted that she didn’t even realize she was in the final lap during the race, yet her instincts and determination propelled her to victory. This highlights her natural talent and focus, qualities that have made her a dominant force in cyclocross [[2]].
despite her success, van Empel has faced criticism from some quarters, with detractors suggesting that she is less dominant this season compared to her previous performances. Though, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider remains unbothered by such critiques, emphasizing that external opinions do not effect her.Her focus remains firmly on her planning and performance, particularly as she gears up for the World Championships in liévin [[1]].
Van Empel’s achievements are nothing short of remarkable. She is a two-time world champion (2023, 2024) and a three-time European champion (2022, 2023, 2024) in cyclocross. Her versatility is also noteworthy, as she competes in mountain biking and road cycling alongside her cyclocross endeavors [[3]].
Fem van Empel’s victory in Benidorm is a clear demonstration of her skill, determination, and mental fortitude. as she continues to dominate the cyclocross scene, her ability to rise above criticism and focus on her goals sets her apart as one of the sport’s brightest stars. Fans and critics alike will undoubtedly be watching closely as she prepares for the upcoming World Championships, where she aims to further cement her legacy.
- Topics: Cyclocross World Cup, Fem van Empel
