The Mixed Relay event opened up the Cyclocross World Championships this afternoon in Hoogerheide and the Netherlands stormed to victory. Fem van Empel, despite taking part of the Elite road race tomorrow, has not been shy on giving it her all for this win.
“I wasn't very nervous. Of course you are at the start of this part as a team. And when you're at the start, you also want to do well. It's nice that we can do this. Especially because we are such a young team, which is great for the KNWU (Dutch national team, ed.) and for the Netherlands. For everyone," van Empel said in a post-race interview.
The Netherlands had quality around all categories, and have managed to take an important win with 6 gold medals distributed between athletes of all categories. Van Empel was the fastest female rider on the course and helped the gaps grow for a safe victory. “You have enough information after one lap. Tomorrow you will not ride a full circle, like now. I do know at what speed I can go through the corners now. Who will win tomorrow? Fem van Empel," she says.
Van Empel is perhaps the woman to beat at tomorrow's Elite women's race in Hoogerheide and today she has tested the track at racing speed. She will be battling with the likes of Puck Pieterse, Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado who did not race today.
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santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
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Team Netherlands 🌈 🥇 🔸Tibor Del Grosso 🔸 Guus Van Den Eijnden 🔸Lauren Molengraaf 🔸Leonie Bentveld 🔸Fem Van Empel 🔸Ryan Kamp #Hoogerheide2023
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