Van Empel didn't realize she was in the final lap, but still wins: "It shows my competitive spirit"

Fem van Empel, Fem van Empel, Fem van Empel. Three times, the world champion came out on top in the World Cup of Benidorm, but there is still only one name on the victory list of the Spanish race. It was difficult, as it was extremely tense until the last meters. In the end, she was just too fast for Lucinda Brand, who finished second.

Because the course is run at high speed, the cyclo-cross race in Benidorm is always one where the gaps are small. "This year it was exhilarating, but so was last year," Van Empel said in the flash interview. "I'm always happy to compete here. The crowd is great, and there are so many little kids; it's cool."

While there seemed to be about 10 riders competing for the win for a long time, the world champion never felt like she wasn't in control. "I was always in control,' she states confidently. "At the start, I was focused; I was actually in the first or second position the whole race." Van Empel had to pull out all the stops to take the lead in the final. "I think the way I won today is special, and it shows my competitive spirit. I am delighted with my season and also certainly with this victory."

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Van Empel acts late in the race: "Lucinda defended well"

What made it even harder was that the Visma | Lease a Bike rider did not know she was in the final lap. As a result, she had to pass Brand at the very last moment. "Lucinda made it difficult; she didn't leave any room. The barriers were one of the last opportunities to find a gap. It was full throttle over them, and I sprinted even before the asphalt." After training camp, the focus is back on cyclo-cross. "I went away for a week with the team. There was a good vibe, and it gave me positive energy. It's always nice to get back on that cyclo-cross bike."

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