Sorry ladies, she's back: Van Empel talks about unexpected solo at 70 km/h, developing and winning World Cup while skipping Sardinia?

"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."

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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."