Fem van Empel wins GP Sven Nys after titanic battle with Lucinda Brand

The GP Sven Nys in Baal delivered today, the women's elite race was marked by a spectacular battle between Fem van Empel and Lucinda Brand, but the World Champion took the first victory of the year.

Fem van Empel took the holeshot and, as as the case in Hulst, the leading group was miles ahead of the competition. Her and Lucinda Brand stook out right from the first minutes of the race in a race that was marked by heavy mud.

All throughout the race both have battled with each other for the lead of the race, dealing successive blows. Both also made small technical mistakes under the difficult conditions, but entered the final lap still together and with no clear favourite.

It was however in the final lap that van Empel had an extra gear, which Brand could not match. Hence, it was a return to victories for the Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider.

Ava Holmgren rode to a very impressive third place at just 18 years of age, beating veterans Sanne Cant and Clara Honsinger.