“I'm curious to see where I stand at this level" - Fem van Empel still finding her way on the women's World Tour

2023 women's Cyclocross world champion Fem van Empel was a notable name at the startline of Brabantse Pijl. Riding for Jumbo-Visma, the 20-year-old admits she is still trying to find her level as a World Tour road rider.

“I'm curious to see where I stand at this level, but on the road it's very difficult to win," she tells Algemeen Dagblad prior to Brabantse Pijl. "There are so many factors involved. In the Brabantse Pijl I will try to get through the first eighty kilometres as economically as possible, until the local loop. But it's not like good legs are a guarantee. Everything has to work out.”

Sadly for the young Dutch star, she was brought down by a crash in the peloton with that all but ending her chances of victory. Nevertheless, van Empel, who recently finished 8th at the Volta Limburg Classic in her only other road race so far this year will be back in action, hoping for a better result at La Flèche Wallonne Féminine on the 19th of April.

“Next year I will organize my competition program differently," she explains. In hindsight, spring would have been appropriate,” concludes Van Empel.