The great cycling talent Fem van Empel will ride for the Jumbo-Visma team. The 20-year-old rider from Sint-Michielsgestel comes under the care of Marianne Vos. Earlier this season, Vos already stated emphatically that she wanted Van Empel as a teammate. Van Empel: “Compared to her, I’m still a snot.”
Fem Van Empel signs a contract for two years. She will start the cross season next weekend with her current team Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal, but will cycle in yellow and black from 1 January. “But I hope we can do something for each other in the second half of the cross season. After all, you are stronger together than alone.”
The similarities with the beginning of Marianne Vos’ career are quite large. Van Empel became world champion in cyclo-cross in the U23 category last year and is the reigning Dutch champion in cyclo-cross and mountain biking in the same category. She will also develop as a road racer within Team Jumbo-Visma.
“It feels like a reward for my hard work.”
Van Empel is enthusiastic about her switch. “It feels like a reward for my hard work in recent years. Now I do a lot of research myself and try to do the right thing, but later I know for sure that everything is right. With the right guidance I will continue to develop.”
After the cross season, Van Empel will focus on road and mountain bike competitions. “I would like to discover what I can still achieve on the mountain bike,” explains the rider. “Team Jumbo-Visma will support me in this.”
“I can’t wait to start in spring classics.”
Road races are also on Van Empel’s agenda next year. She will then make her debut at World Tour level.
“I don’t have much experience on the road yet, but I’m open to everything. I want to find out where my qualities lie. I can’t wait to start in spring classics and to ride multi-day races. I’m quite all-round, I think .”