After a thrilling, three-way battle for victory, it was Fem van Empel who prevailed in Benidorm at the UCI World Cup, taking the spoils ahead of Puck Pieterse and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.
Right from the start, world champion Fem van Empel attempted to assert her authority onto the race. But over the first few laps it wasn't van Empel who was making all the early differences. She was joined at the front by compatriots, Puck Pieterse and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.
As van Empel and Pieterse continued to set a high pace in the mid-race laps however, Alvarado soon began to struggle and the battle at the head of the race looked to have turned into a two-woman fight. Alvarado never gave up however, and on lap 5, she finally managed to reconnect with the leading duo.
Noticing Alvarado getting back in contact, van Empel and Pieterse upped the pace once again, and with two laps to go, the gap was 13 seconds between leaders and chasers.
As van Empel and Pieterse stalled again though, once more Alvarado was allowed to regain contact and the trio began the final lap locked together.
After a dramatic finale, van Empel took the victory ahead of Pieterse in second with Alvarado having to settle for third.
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Last lap is going to be 🔥🤯 Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado gets back on the leading duo, comes around the outside and leads into the final lap. Fem van Empel counter-attacks! Pieterse now trying to get around to enter the sandpit first! Hold onto your hats 💨 @SportPic_Agency…
