Fem van Empel reacts to brilliant victory at World Cup Benidorm: "That shows my fighting spirit"
Cyclocross
Fem van Empel delivered a stunning performance to secure
victory at the World Cup Benidorm, narrowly defeating rival Lucinda Brand in
what was undoubtedly one of the best races of the season. The win marks Van
Empel's third consecutive triumph at the Benidorm event, cementing her
dominance on this circuit.
Speaking to Wielerflits after the race, Van Empel
reflected on the event's unique excitement and atmosphere. "Last year, the
final was really about the last corner, which shows that it's exciting here
every year. I'm always happy to race here. The crowd is great and there are a
lot of children along the side," she shared.
Van Empel also detailed her race strategy and the decisive
moments that led to her victory. "I think I was in control the whole race.
My start was focused, and I was always in first or second position. Lucinda
closed the door well the whole time, but at the barriers was one of the last
opportunities to find a gap. I went full throttle over the barriers and had
already done my sprint before the asphalt," she said.
Reflecting on the significance of the win, she added:
"The way I win is special, that shows my fighting spirit. I am happy with
my season and this victory."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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