Fem van Empel has extended her world title in cyclo-cross in Tabor, Czech Republic, with a great display of power. The 21-year-old cyclocross rider from Den Dungen was the first to leave after the start and only extended her lead. Lucinda Brand took silver in more than a minute. With the bronze for Puck Pieterse, the podium was completely Dutch, as expected in advance.
It is the fifth time in a row that a Dutch rider has won the cyclo-cross world title. The series was opened by Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado in 2020. After that, the titles went to Brand and Marianne Vos, followed by Van Empel’s victories at the Hoogerheide and Tabor World Championships.
Van Empel, who normally competes for Visma-Lease a Bike, had already won seventeen races in the months before the World Championships. This also included the European title fight in Pontchâteau in November.