Elite race a "logical choice" for Fem van Empel into Cyclocross European Championships

The Netherlands have revealed the riders that will represent the nation in the upcoming European Championships, and the questions regarding which category World Cup leader Fem van Empel would ride have been answered: Elite.

Jurgen Mettepenningen, manager of Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal has talked to reporters regarding the decision to race the Elite race. "It was a logical choice for Fem and our team to start at this European championship with the elite riders. Whoever wins four World Cup rounds against the world's top riders in the elite category, belongs in that category."

The 20-year old has been dominating the season so far, winning all World Cup rounds and several other races. Despite this her, and as an example the two riders who have stepped on the podium in Maasmechelen this weekend - Puck Pieterse and Shirin van Anrooij - are all under-23 riders. Whilst the latter two will compete in that category, van Empel will ride the Elite.

"Should Fem win the European jersey as an elite, she can also wear it for a whole year. As an under-23, that is not the case," was the main explanation given. She will battle with her own compatriots, the likes of Marianne Vos, Denise Betsema, Annemarie Worst and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado will all be contender for the title, whilst Lucinda Brand could make her return too in Namur.

"My condition has improved a lot, which has allowed me to continue the upward trend from last season," van Empel herself said. "I'm looking forward to Namur: it's quite technical. And when it starts to rain, it becomes a very specific course. I'm curious."