For Denise Betsema the European Championships cyclo-cross was not a success. The Texel cyclo-cross rider crossed the line in fourth place in Namen (Belgium), ten seconds behind Kata Blanka Vas, the number three. Compatriot Fem van Empel once again proved supreme and grabbed her first European Championship title.
Van Empel was already in the lead in the first lap. Vas stayed with her, Ceylin del Carmen Alvardo, Betsema, Marianne Vos and Sara Casasola (Italy) did not succeed. Van Empel then had material problems, but fought back to leaders Alvarado, Betsema and Vas. In the fourth round, however, Betsema was the first to release from the front runners and was unable to bridge that gap.
Van Empel crossed the line 22 seconds earlier than Alvarado after a good race. Vas was third and Betsema crossed the finish line 46 seconds after the winner. The men will take action tomorrow in Namur, Belgium.
Watch Van Empel’s finish below: