Cyclocross World Champion Fem van Empel leaves Visma and suspends career - "I wanted to be honest and fair about this with the team"

Cycling can be an absolutely brutal sport, and not even those at the very top are protected from the struggles. Fem van Empel is ending her contract with Team Visma | Lease a Bike and putting her career on hold without knowing what the future will hold. This, despite her currently being the reigning three-time World Champion and one of the brightest talents in the entire sport.

"Of course, it’s unfortunate that Fem is leaving us, but we fully respect her decision," team CEO Richard Plugge said in a press release. "She has meant a great deal to our team and to cyclocross in general. With her talent, Fem has achieved impressive results and wrote sports history with our team, winning multiple European and world titles. It has been special to witness her development up close and to work together. We wish her every success in the future.”

Van Empel took a step back from the road earlier in the year already citing physical and psychological issues, and decided to instead only put her focus on cyclocross for the time being. She seemed well on her way too, winning the Nacht van Woerden and the Exact Cross Heerderstrand, but at the Koppenbergcross she abandoned the race at its start whilst leading. “During the Koppenbergcross, my body and mind gave a very clear signal," the Dutchwoman explained. "I am someone who doesn’t give up easily, but unconsciously, a decision had already formed then. This feels like the right step for me now.” She is stepping away from the sport for the time being, without it being clear what comes next. 

The 23-year old is a three-time World Champion and it is not coincidence that she has joined Visma for the past few years, coming from the same town as cyclocross and road legend Marianne Vos, and being perhaps cyclocross' brightest talent in the women's field. But when all the pieces of the puzzle don't fit together, not even all of this success can sustain a career. “This is a well-considered decision that I feel good about," van Empel assures.

"At the moment, both the motivation and the enjoyment I have had in cycling for years are missing. I wanted to be honest and fair about this with the team. For now, this is the best choice. It feels like the right time for a new chapter. I am very grateful for all the support I have received from the team, my family, and the fans, and I look forward to what the future brings.”