Dec 16, 2023 at 2:41 PM Update: an hour ago
A battered Fem van Empel also won the third round of the X2O cyclocross trophy on Saturday. The 21-year-old reigning world champion defeated Lucinda Brand after an exciting final in Herentals, Belgium.
Before the start of the race, there were concerns about Van Empel, because she had fallen while exploring the lap and injured her knee. Earlier this week she also fell during a training camp in Spain, injuring her right knee and arm. The 21-year-old rider also announced that she was suffering from a cold.
Despite the physical discomfort, Van Empel was the first to cross the line in Herentals. In the third lap the lead over closest pursuer Brand was still ten seconds, but the 34-year-old cyclocross rider came back well.
It was exciting in Herentals until the last second – Brand and Van Empel came out of the last corner neck and neck – but the top favorite turned out to be the fastest in the sprint. Annemarie Worst crossed the finish line in Herentals in third place, 42 seconds behind the winner.
There is no limit for Van Empel this season: she also won the previous two races in the battle for the X2O trophy, in Oudenaarde and Kortrijk. The victory in Herentals marks the tenth victory in a row for Van Empel. She is still undefeated this season.
Beeld: Getty Images
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2023-12-16 13:41:45
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