Fem van Empel sends statement to rivals and makes it a Koppenbergcross hat-trick in dominant display

For the third year in a row, Fem van Empel has dominated on the historic cobbles of the Koppenbergcross, opening the women's X20 Badkammers Trofee season in blistering style and sending a message ahead of this Sunday's European Championship.

It didn't take long for the big names to come to the fore as right on the opening lap, the likes Fem van Empel, Lucinda Brand, Blanka Kata Vas, Annemarie Worst and Sara Casasola powered clear of the rest of the field, forming an elite group at the front. On lap 2 though, world champion Van Empel began to pull away from the pack. Although Brand dropped the rest of the chasers in an attempt to reel back the Rainbow Jersey, Van Empel was starting to build up her advantage by the end of the second lap, 22 seconds clear of Brand.

As Van Empel took the bell, she extended her advantage again to 28 seconds over her compatriot and in truth, the fight for victory looked a done deal. The battle for the third spot on the podium was also looking wrapped up, with Casasola 13 seconds clear of Vas. Managing the final lap without mistake, victory comfortably went to Van Empel.