Dutch Van Empel takes cyclo-cross world title in thrilling finish: "Lucinda Brand was an incredible rival today"
Cyclo-cross
What a fight. Dutchwoman Fem van Empel had to dig deep, but in the final moments of the race, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider managed to shake off compatriot Lucinda Brand and claim the cyclo-cross world title in Liévin, France. At just 22, she’s now won the rainbow jersey three years in a row, an incredible feat.
After the race, an exhausted Van Empel was still catching her breath. "I haven’t even realized yet that I won the race, because I had to dig so deep for this," she said in the flash interview. "It was a really tough battle. It was mentally challenging after last weekend, so this is quite emotional." In the final lap, it briefly looked like her main competitor Lucinda Brand might ride off, but on the difficult uphill sections, the younger Dutchwoman made the difference.
In the last few minutes of the race, the lead kept changing hands — Van Empel, Brand, Van Empel... The winner had to give it her all until the very end. "I expected it to be tough, and it was. Lucinda was an amazing opponent today. I have a lot of respect for her. She’s had an incredible season, and I’m glad she’s on the podium. Same for Puck (Pieterse, ed.), who did an amazing job." Pieterse had put up a brave fight in the early stages but ultimately had to settle for bronze.
Read more below the photo!
"The course changed every time"
The course was challenging, as the weather conditions altered it day by day. "Over the past few days, the course changed every time. Even after this morning’s recon, it was different again. That makes it difficult to know what to expect, but after a few laps, you get to know the race well and have to find certain stretches where you’re stronger than the rest."
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Latest Comments
- Remco is still very young. And injuries can absolutely keep you from overdoing it and getting worse. The recent Remco accident didn't keep him from being able to ride a recumbent inside. Wout's knee is a different story thoughVeganpotter23-01-2025
- Van der Poel style is winning by a half a lap and leading the race from the end of the second lap.
Barnes127420-01-2025 - If she thinks talent alone will put her there she will not see many podium finishes much less a GC finish.....work as a team utilizing tactics to consistently be at the top.Germanrazor10-01-2025
- This was very informative! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreiraluizantonioduarteferreira02-01-2025
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024