"Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse are just a little bit fiercer" - Inge van der Heijden realises the difference in levels within women's cyclocross
Cyclocross
With a trio of Superprestige podiums to her name already this winter, 24-year-old Dutchwoman Inge van der Heijden is quietly proving herself as a real challenger within the women's cyclocross sphere.
"For me, of course, it also partly applies that I am working towards the World Championship. That is really something that I have made a goal of, although that will probably be the case for many ladies," the Crelan - Corendon rider tells In de Leiderstrui. "On the other hand, if I can continue at this level in the next races, I will be extremely satisfied."
"'I think I'm in good condition. For me, there is always room for improvement in the technical field. Moreover, it is sometimes a bit of a challenge for me in mud crosses. But the more I do it, the better it gets," she continues. "Perhaps having more confidence in myself is the most important thing. Just think more that I can do it, instead of thinking too much negatively."
The biggest obstacle to van der Heijden taking the next leap and becoming a regular race winner is the continued brilliance of the likes of Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse. As van der Heijden says herself, the talented duo are currently a cut above much of the rest of the field.
"In some competitions, such as the one in Heusden-Zolder (where van der Heijden podiumed, ed.), the difference is not that big at all," she insists however. "I rode the entire race there by myself, because I had missed my start. But when it comes to the final, ladies like Fem and Puck are just a little bit fiercer and have just a little more surplus than me."
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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