Fem van Empel dominates X20 Trofee Hamme and consolidates cup lead

Fem van Empel has won once again as the reigning World Champion. The Team Visma - Lease a Bike rider has put on a massive display of power in Hamme and increased her lead in the X2O Trofee.

The race started off with Fem van Empel hitting the front and there wasn't a big story to it. The World Champion was the overwhelmingly strongest rider in today's race in Hamme and created the decisive gap in the first lap already.

Manon Bakker and Lucinda Brand kept the chase on in the muddy circuit but the gap escalated out of control relatively quickly. Brand eventually distanced her compatriot halfway through the race but the gap continued to increase.

Fem van Empel eventually reached the finish line safely. Before tomorrow's Hoogerheide World Cup, she has proved her form. Lucinda Brand rolled in in second place and Manon Bakker completed the podium ahead of Laura Verdonschot.