Fem van Empel wins spectacular three-way sprint in Hoogerheide; Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado conquers World Cup

Hoogerheide has delivered once again. Fem van Empel, the reigning World Champion, has won her final race ahead of Tabor, but had a spectacular battle against Lucinda Brand and Blanka Kata Vas.

Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse took to the front of the Dutch race, not the most unusual occasion as the two were the main favourites for the win. However the fast track did not allow for big gaps to form; Lucinda Brand, Blanka Kata Vas and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado bridged across.

However a slowdown then took place, a few riders returned to the front and Marie Schreiber launched an attack off the front of the race right away. Lucinda Brand joined her and Zoe Bäckstedt reacted behind in a race that proved quite tactical.

However Fem van Empel reacted to the danger and had to close the gap to Brand who looked quite dangerous at the head of the race. Vas joined her in front and the trio headed quite equal to the final lap where they were well matched.

It was a brilliant battle for victory in the final lap but Fem van Empel used the stairs close to the end to take to the front and create a small gap which she could use in the finishing straight. She narrowly beat Blanka Kata Vas and Lucinda Brand who followed. Zoe Bäckstedt and Marie Schreiber followed, whilst Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado sealed the World Cup win.