Without the injured Lucinda Brand As usual, it turned out to be a Dutch get-together, with one difference: Blanka Kata Vas from Hungary was present. Pieterse, who, like Vas, skipped the first two World Cup races in Waterloo and Fayetteville, also made her appearance. It created a situation in which six Dutch ladies competed for the victory together with a Hungarian.
All eyes were on Van Empel, who was able to take the win in a World Cup competition for the third time in a row. Van Empel drove defensively and did not show the back of her tongue, but did place the all-decisive attack. First it was Sausage who tried to punch a hole, then Pieterse made an attempt on the beams, her specialty. But it was a late attack by Van Empel that was really successful. The 20-year-old Van Empel was allowed to put her arms in the air for the fifth time this early cross season. Pieterse was second to Worst and Betsema.
,,My legs didn’t feel so good. I had little sleep due to jet lag and could only follow today. I attacked on the last climb and that was enough,” says Van Empel after the race. “I really did not expect three victories in the World Cup. I will be back next week in Maasmechelen,” said the rider who will compete next year. drives for Jumbo-Visma.
Van Empel now takes the lead in the World Cup with a maximum score of 120 points.