Sorry ladies, she's back: Van Empel talks about unexpected solo at 70 km/h, developing and winning World Cup while skipping Sardinia?
Cyclo-cross
Fem van Empel is back to her old self. Early this season, she promised to focus on reaching her absolute peak at the European Championships. After a demonstration on Saturday, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider managed to win her third cross in a row on Sunday with the Antwerp World Cup. Afterward, she happily shared her explanation with IDLProCycling.com.
"The wind did play a role today," Van Empel recalled what she had said in the flash interview in her race analysis, not surprisingly, as the wind blew Sunday at gusts of up to 70 kilometers per hour. "The goal was to ride the cross with focus and a steady pace. I also wanted to choose my lines in the sand. After all, it was pretty tough today with the wind and the sand strips, of course. It's a very open course so you can feel the wind everywhere. I managed to do well," she said with satisfaction.
The world champion continued after the podium ceremony, "It was mostly a struggle. At one point, I found myself alone. I would have preferred to be in someone's wheel longer, but this is also cross. I'm glad I was able to hold on for 50 minutes." Or, as she put it earlier, "Behind me, it was all different groups. But I kept fighting until the finish and am very happy with the victory."
Read more below the photo.
Van Empel returns fit from training camp but continues to make choices
She had just returned from training camp before Van Empel hit her double victory in Kortrijk and Antwerp. "Things went well there. I could train very well mentally and physically, also because the weather was good. Everything went according to schedule. I didn't touch my bike there but focused on development. I have set some main goals with the team this season, and together with the team, I determine when there is a need for training or rest."
Visma | Lease a Bike, and Van Empel did not panic when she did not win at the beginning of the season. The first peak had to come at the European Championships; after that, they continued. "I certainly did not relax. And afterward, it is always lovely to be back in that cyclo-cross feeling." Good to hear that because Van Empel will continue to make choices this winter related to the road season. "I ride Dublin next week and will participate in most World Cups. I only skip the one in Sardinia and will make the best of it. With one less World Cup, a lot can still happen. We'll see, I'll take it race by race."
The rainbow jersey is well within reach. Cyclo-cross in function of road ambitions? No way! "Last year, I saw it more as discovering which races suit me. But honestly, I haven't even discussed my road program with the team yet, so first, I'll just focus on cyclo-cross. All the training I'm doing now is also nice for the road season."
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Latest Comments
- 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 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024