Fem van Empel triumphs in Herentals after Brand & Alvarado are ruled out of race-winning contention by crashes
Cyclocross
Fem van Empel has taken the victory this Saturday afternoon in Herentals at the latest round of the X2O Badkammers Trofee. The world champion didn't have it all her own way, but in the end Van Empel proved strongest to continue her brilliantly successful winter so far.
At the end of the opening lap, Lucinda Brand led the race across the line, taking potentially key bonus seconds in the race for the overall X2O Badkammers Trofee. The Dutch star still had company though, notably from the likes of Fem van Empel, Annemarie Worst and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado. After a cagey second lap, Brand then began to really put the hammer down on lap 3. Under this pressure, Alvarado had a disaster in the pits, falling over as she attempted a quick re-mount, all but ending her hopes of victory.
With Alvarado out of the running and Worst starting to drop away, Brand and Van Empel were setting up a head to head showdown over the final two laps. On lap 4 though, it was then Brand's turn to have a moment of difficulty, getting caught up in the barriers. As Van Empel took the bell for the final lap, Worst was 9 seconds down with both Brand and Alvarado together at around 20 seconds back. Although there was no catching Van Empel, Worst was caught by Brand and Alvarado to make an exciting finale for the podium battle. In the end, Brand took second, Alvarado third.
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- It does, he had some weight management issues, being too lightweight I believe. He will be right there if he comes healthy.awp15-01-2025
- I think you are right. The way he came back from that dreadful accident and still managed to finish second in the tour speaks volumes.roadman5412115-01-2025
- Never count Vingegaard out. He is one hell of great athlete. If he comes healthy it will be game on.awp15-01-2025
- We are in for what might just be one of cycle racing's best ever years. I'm so looking forward to it. Bring it on!1stpastthepost15-01-2025
- I like to have a bet on cycling now and then. No big stakes a £ or a $ and always feel that given the right circumstances Alaphilipe gives you value for money :-)1stpastthepost15-01-2025
- What else is he supposed to say, "no, he's unbeatable, we'll be fighting for top 10"😂vappaxbipmv15-01-2025
- I have no cause. I think that it is a healthy thing for a human being to forgive and, where possible, forget an “adolescent” lapse of judgement. Regarding rape or genocide or the many other bad things the human race does to each other I surely do make comment where appropriate. We all have exactly the same choice and fundamental right to question and engage similarly on “any” topic that concerns you - as you have done here.roadman5412115-01-2025
- Erm, that’s pretty forgiving, up to what point are you willing to go? Rape, murder, genocide? As for Mikolajjj, if you feel so strongly on the subject, why waste you time here where the author is hardly likely to notice you. There must be millions of worse cases to go comment on snd thousandd on more useful websites for furthering your cause.Mistermaumau15-01-2025
- He is definitely among the best, but marred by bad luck the past few years. With Pogi, MvDP, Remco and Wout dominating the classics, the likelihood for him to win in the classics is slimmer these days even if he's back to his best shape. I like his attacks, more strength to his elbow.
KerisVroom15-01-2025 - Yeh he is cool. I hope he has a good year.1stpastthepost14-01-2025