Fem van Empel praised for winning "championship under pressure"

Fem van Empel's victory at the European Cyclocross Championships in Namur delighted Gerben de Knegt.

He praised van Empel’s ability to handle pressure at such a crucial time. "It's great to win the championship under pressure," De Knegt told NOS. Van Empel encountered a flat tyre and lost the lead, but she did not lose hope. "It is more than justified that she wins here, especially after the bad luck during the cross.”

He praised the young Dutchwoman for her growth and maturity this season. "She rode a flat but thought well and ran quickly back to the post. She just lost a lot of time because of that, and then it just has to happen. It's super smart that she can finish it then. She is able to keep calm and does the right things. She has really grown tremendously in a year. She has taken a huge step. To win the championship 'for a while' under pressure is handsome," said De Knegt.

A near-unstoppable van Empel is tearing up the cyclocross scene this season. So far, she has ridden nine crosses and won eight of them. "She has become much better technically and more stable. She rode her first mountain bike season and I think she learned a lot from that. Moreover, she has also taken steps mentally. Before, she still sometimes handled her energy drudgingly, now it looks very mature. She clicked very quickly," concluded De Knegt.