Fem van Empel battles through punctures to third at World Cup Dendermonde: “I didn't feel quite fresh, but I did not panic”

The World Cup Dendermonde delivered a dramatic race as Lucinda Brand claimed victory on a rain-soaked and mud-filled course. The challenging conditions tested the best in cyclocross, with Fem van Empel of Team Visma | Lease a Bike managing to secure third place despite battling multiple setbacks.

“I had a good start,” Van Empel reflected after the race in a team press release. “I dived into the field first, but then I dropped off a bit. I didn't feel quite fresh, but I did not panic. I focused on my own race. It's a pity that I punctured just as I made the connection with Pieterse. A little later I had another puncture. That was annoying, but I don't know if there was much more in it for me today.”

The Dendermonde course, made even tougher by persistent rain, turned into an unforgiving mudfest. From the start, Dutch star Puck Pieterse made her intentions clear, storming into an early lead. By the end of the second lap, she had built a 15-second advantage over Lucinda Brand and Zoe Backstedt.

However, Brand showcased her determination and experience, launching a significant effort on lap three to drop Backstedt and close the gap to Pieterse. By lap four, Brand surged ahead of Pieterse, taking control of the race. Meanwhile, Van Empel worked her way back into contention, setting up an exciting battle for the podium.

The final lap began with Brand in a commanding position, poised for victory. The focus shifted to the duel between Pieterse and Van Empel for second place. But just as Van Empel seemed ready to mount a challenge, disaster struck with a rear puncture early on the lap. Despite the setback, she pushed through to finish third as Pieterse held onto second.

Van Empel's resilience stood out, even as she endured two punctures during the race. It was a testament to her fighting spirit in difficult conditions, though Brand ultimately proved untouchable on the day.