Fem van Empel won the cyclocross World Cup in Hoogerheide on Saturday with great force majeure. The 20-year-old from Den Dungen made the difference halfway through the race by taking a big lead on her competitors. It is the first time that Van Empel has become senior world champion.
Immediately after the start in Hoogerheide, Van Empel took the lead. But it was initially not possible to really break free from fellow favorite Puck Pieterse from Amersfoort.
After a few pinpricks from Van Empel and a fall from Pieterse, ‘SuperFem’ made a hole halfway through the match. On the fast course of 3.1 kilometers the lead was about twenty seconds for a while. As a result, the Brabant public, which had traveled en masse to Hoogerheide, got value for money.
Extended party
In the final round, Van Empel’s victory was no longer in danger. She kept Pieterse well behind her. As a result, she had plenty of time to celebrate an extensive party in the last meters and throw her hands in the air as world champion. Pieterse eventually finished second. Lucinda Brand took care of a completely Dutch podium with the bronze.
Van Empel was already considered one of the big favorites before the race. This after she string together the victories during the cyclocross season. For example, she already became European champion with the women three months ago. Van Empel succeeds Marianne Vos as world champion. Vos did not start on Saturday due to physical problems.
Watch live
Omroep Brabant will broadcast the Cyclocross World Cup for women and men live this weekend. On Sunday, the men with favorites Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert will start at three o’clock in the afternoon.
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