"Everything should fall into place on Saturday" - Fem van Empel fully ready for world title defense in Tabor following Hoogerheide win

Sunday, 28 January 2024 at 15:22

Hoogerheide is a fast and relatively tactical circuit and it led to a difficult challenge for Fem van Empel, even though she looked to be the strongest on the day. She took the victory and is ready for the World Championships in Tabor.

The Dutchwoman put in a strong effort early in the day but could not make the difference. It was necessary for the race to develop to be able to drop some of her rivals, but both Blanka Kata Vas and Lucinda Brand kept up with the strong pace. It was all about the final lap then where van Empel couldn't create a big gap, but ran up the final stairs furiously, reaching the head of the race and having enough of a gap to hold it in the final sprint.

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“It was a big effort. I had to skip a flight of stairs and actually didn't think I would get over Vas. But Blanka is world champion on the road. I've never sprinted against her before, so I just gave it a try," the Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider explained. "It was a long sprint and it went quite uphill." In the final race day before Tabor, she won once again.

“These victories are super important. It's nice to win two more times a week before the World Championships, but I mainly hope to stay healthy. Everything should fall into place on Saturday, then I will be extremely satisfied," she concludes. "I'm not going to do too much this week. I will travel to Tábor early and it will be important to explore the course well and keep calm."