Fem van Empel - "It's the first time I'm competing in this jersey, so to be able to finish it like this is really nice"

At X2O Trofee Lille, Fem van Empel claimed her first win since becoming a world champion, outpacing Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.

Choosing to do something unconventional, she finished the race as Superwoman, perched atop her saddle.“I said beforehand that I would do that if I won, but I couldn't do it too early, because Ceylin was too close. That's why I did it after the line," said van Empel.

She further added, “It's the first time I'm competing in this jersey, so to be able to finish it like this is really nice. I had maybe my worst start ever because I have new pedals and cleats. That takes a little getting used to. But this lap was long enough to make up for something.”

Van Empel is ahead in the overall rankings at present, and with only one more race to go, her victory is virtually a done deal. “I wanted to get as far out as possible in the standings, but it was tough today. Normally I do cross-training during the week, but today that cross-feeling was hard to find,” concluded Van Empel.