Fem van Empel did not succeed in prolonging her cyclocross world title with the promises. After coming back from behind twice, she seemed to have the best papers for a new world title. In the last lap it still went wrong for the rider from Sint-Michielsgestel.
Early in the game, Van Empel seemed to relinquish the victory. She reacted too slowly to an attack by her Dutch teammates Shirin van Anrooij and Puck Pieterse. The two outsiders drove away from the top favourite. Van Empel had to close a gap of just under ten seconds.
That worked after four rounds. But just as the rider from Sint Michielsgestel reached the two front runners, she fell silent on a hill. Again, a backlog had to be made up. Van Empel also succeeded a second time, so that with two rounds to go she was still in the race for the world title. Last year’s winner seemed to have the best papers. She only had to deal with her two compatriots.
Riding in the wheels
On the last hill of the race, however, things went wrong again for the Brabant rider. She rode into Pieterse’s wheels, causing her to stop. For a third time she had to close a gap, but that was too much to ask. There were only a few kilometers to go, so there was no more than a third place.
The world title eventually went to Puck Pieterse. She beat Shirin van Anrooij in the sprint.