25/11/2023

Crash not enough to stop Fem van Empel - World Champion wins race number 8 of the season beating Brand and Pieterse

Fem van Empel strikes big again, winning the X20 Badkamers Trofee round in Kortrijk, despite having crashed in the first part of the race and having to battle Lucinda Brand and Puck Pieterse.

The race in Kortrijk wasn't overly dry, but the lack of a very technical aspect on the race saw no gaps at the start of the race. Puck Pieterse and Fem van Empel took to the front early on, dropping Lucinda Brand who would connect again together with van Empel. Van Empel crashed but quickly gained her place in the race, bringing the Baloise - Trek Lions rider in her wheel.

Mathieu van der Poel thinks about career and taking time off cyclocross in the future: "I don't know how much longer I'll keep racing"

Brand managed to get a gap herself on lap 2 because of a pit section attack, she had space which took time to close for the chasing duo but eventually Van Empel bridged across on lap 4. She then went full-on, the attack was done and she slowly began to build the gap on her two chasers.

It is yet another win for the Jumbo-Visma rider, who has so far had a flawless season. It is her eighth win of the season and she expands her lead in the X20 Badkamers Trofee. Lucinda Brand rode to second place and Puck Pieterse completed the podium.