🚵🇧🇪 | We zijn onderweg in Kortrijk! En alle ogen zullen toch gericht zijn op Fem van Empel. Wie kan de wereldkampioen volgen? 👀🌈 📺 Stream veldrijden op HBO Max
Suspense gone after one lap: Van Empel's return ends with impressive victory in Kortrijk
Cyclo-crossSaturday, 23 November 2024 at 18:22
Fem van Empel won the Urban Cross of Kortrijk on Saturday. The World Champion dominated the cyclo-cross race, part of the Exact Cross series, from start to finish. Marion Norbert Riberolle finished second, well ahead of her teammate Inge van der Heijden.
The Urban Cross is an atypical cyclo-cross because, as the name suggests, it is set in an urban area of Kortrijk. Last year, the Urban Cross in Kortrijk was dominated from start to finish by Fem van Empel, which was in line with her impressive performance throughout the season. The Dutch rider took a convincing victory with a 26-second lead over Lucinda Brand, while Puck Pieterse secured third place, more than a minute behind.
Van Empel decides race after only one lap
There was a lot less competition for Van Empel this year. For example, brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado were absent, and Pieterse, on the other hand, only starts with cyclo-cross in mid-December. Van Empel thus started in Kortrijk as the absolute top favorite. The world champion found herself around fourth position after the start. Van der Heijden, as we know her, started energetically and thus entered the field first.
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After just under four minutes of racing, Van Empel took control. Initially, Van der Heijden and Alicia Franck could keep the wheel, but they would not hold on for long. Towards the end of the first lap, Van Empel accelerated again, and as a result, Van der Heijden and Franck could not follow anymore.
The cyclo-cross in Kortrijk consequently turned out to be a true one-woman show. The difference in level between Van Empel and the rest of the field was simply too significant. The Visma | LaB rider performed excellently and did not have to test her strength. In any case, the legs were well warmed up for Sunday's first World Cup in Antwerp. There, Van Empel usually faces stiff competition from Alvarado and Brand.
More suspense for second and third place
The battle for the remaining podium spots was more suspenseful. While Van der Heijden and Franck initially rode in second and third place, Franck soon had to let the Dutch rider go. Norbert Riberolle, on the other hand, made the jump to Van der Heijden and interfered in the battle for the podium.
Of the two riders from Crelan, Van der Heijden initially made the better impression. She performed by far the most of the lead and even got Norbert Riberolle into trouble at times. However, in the last phase, it appeared that Van der Heijden had used her strength a little too much because when Norbert Riberolle accelerated in the closing stages, the Dutch rider had no answer ready. Consequently, second place went to Norbert Riberolle, and Van der Heijden had to be satisfied with third place.
🚵🇧🇪 | Terug van een korte 'pauze', maar nog altijd even goed. Een oppermachtige Fem van Empel wint in Kortrijk! 🥇🇳🇱 📺 Stream veldrijden op HBO Max
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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