UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships: Fem van Empel wins her first elite women’s title in Hoogerheide

Fem van Empel has won her first elite women’s title at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, finishing in a time of 54:42.

It was an all-Dutch podium with Puck Pieterse coming second (+0.39) and 2021 world champion Lucinda Brand (+ 01:11) finishing in third.

Pieterse fell in a corner with three laps to go and it allowed Van Empel to break away as she rode solo for the final three laps to claim her 12th win of the season.

“It feels a bit crazy, it’s an emotional victory, after a great season,” newly crowned world champion Van Empel said after the race.

“The crowd was really amazing, I’ve never seen so many people at a race. It’s very special for me.

“It was battle with Puck. I think she crashed, and at that moment I went full gas. It’s difficult to find the right words, it’s a bit emotional.”

After the first two laps where a Dutch quartet trailed Van Empel on a slippery course in Hoogerheide, it looked set to be a battle between 20-year-olds Van Empel and Pieterse to the finish line.

That was before 33-year-old Brand bridged the gap on the pair on the third lap when Pieterse slid out while following Van Empel’s line. Even with the slip, Pieterse rallied and surged past Brand.

Nevertheless, no one was going to catch Van Empel who established a 30-second lead to claim her first elite rainbow jersey.

Pieterse following Van Empel over the finish line, over a half minute behind, with a crowd-pleasing one-handed wheelie across the line. Brand finished in third ahead of Italian Silvia Persico by 34 seconds.

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