Fem van Empel and Lars van der Haar headline Dutch selection for Maasmechelen's World Cup

National coach Gerben De Knegt has selected eleven men and eleven women for the next World Cup event in the field, which will be held in Maasmechelen next Sunday. World champion Fem van Empel will defend her leading position in the World Cup there and the national coach also has high expectations of the Dutch women next weekend.

''Even without Puck Pieterse, Shirin van Anrooij and Lucinda Brand, there are plenty of opportunities to occupy the top spots among the women. Although I realize that we are missing an important competitor with Kata Blanka Vas now that she is injured."

"Whether it is good for the sport internationally that we dominate so much is another discussion, but I certainly see us competing for prizes in the coming years. With a strong current crop, of which Fem, Puck and Shirin can already be counted, but also with the development of riders such as Leonie Bentveld and Lauren Molengraaf," said De Knegt about his strong team.

Dutch Women lineup for Maasmechelen:
Fem van Empel, Ceylin Alvarado, Denise Betsema, Inge van der Heijden, Manon Bakker, Annemarie Worst, Aniek van Alphen, Lauren Molengraaf, Leonie Bentveld, Iris Offerein and Anne Knijnenburg  

Dutch Men lineup for Maasmechelen:
Lars van der Haar, Joris Nieuwenhuis, Ryan Kamp, Pim Ronhaar, Corne van Kessel, Mees Hendrikx, Stan Godrie, Jens Dekker, Danny van Lierop, Guus van den Eijnden and Lucas Janssen