"A nice reward for the whole season" - Cherry on top of the cake for Fem van Empel with World Championships win

Fem van Empel came into the World Championships with high ambitions and has net her second gold medal in two days. After helping the Netherlands to victory at the Mixed Relay, the 20-year old stormed to the win in the women's Elite race in the same way she has on many occasions over the winter.

“It feels very strange. This is a nice reward for the whole season. I had the right people behind me, I want to thank them all for the help. We also helped each other well in the national team, while we are normally competitors." van Empel said in a post-race interview, thanking everyone involved. After the European title, van Empel adds the rainbow stripes to her Jumbo-Visma jersey.

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Van Empel took to the front immediately at the start of the race, but had a bit of a duel with Puck Pieterse until lap 4. “When Puck fell, I went full throttle," she said. Taking advantage of that mistake, she pushed on and began growing her gap quickly. She had her best legs on the day in Hoogerheide, and had a comfortable lead into the end, taking the top step in an all-Dutch podium.

“It is a very special moment for me. The audience was also really great today. I have never seen so many people in one race," she concluded. Van Empel has taken over the rainbow stripes from her teammate, compatriot and almost-neighbour Marianne Vos. Ahead of the road season the expectations are high, however she will still have the opportunity to debut her new colours in the coming weeks.

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Startlist Cyclocross World Championships Hoogerheide 2023 - Women/Men Elite, Women/Men Under-23, Women/Men Junior, Mixed Relay

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