"I had to go really deep" - Fem van Empel pushed all the way, but victorious again at 2025 Cyclocross World Championships
Cyclocross
Fem van Empel has proven herself once again as the leading light in women's cyclocross. At the 2025 World Championships, the Dutchwoman survived a thrilling battle with Lucinda Brand to the her third successive Rainbow Jersey win.
“Wow, it was a tough fight. It was also mentally tough after last weekend. This is very emotional. I hasn't sunk in yet, I had to go really deep for it. I expected it to be tough, and it was," reflected the 22-year-old in her post-race interview afterwards. "Lucinda was a great opponent today. I really respect her. She rode a strong season, and I'm happy for her to be on the podium. Also for Puck Pieterse who comes third. They did very well."
“The course kept changing in the last few days. That made it difficult,” Van Empel concludes. “Even after the reconnaissance it had changed again. That is always tricky in the race, but after a few laps you know the course and then I found places where I was just a little bit better.”
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| 01 | van Empel Fem | - | 54:29 |
| 02 | Brand Lucinda | - | + 18 |
| 03 | Pieterse Puck | - | + 01:09 |
| 04 | van der Heijden Inge | - | + 01:31 |
| 05 | Vas Blanka | - | + 01:56 |
| 06 | Casasola Sara | - | + 02:11 |
| 07 | Alvarado Ceylin del Carmen | - | + 02:36 |
| 08 | Clauzel Hélène | - | + 02:51 |
| 09 | Cant Sanne | - | + 02:53 |
| 10 | Fouquenet Amandine | - | + 02:58 |
| 11 | Norbert Riberolle Marion | - | + 03:05 |
| 12 | Betsema Denise | - | + 03:08 |
| 13 | Clouse Katie | - | + 03:17 |
| 14 | van Alphen Aniek | - | + 03:32 |
| 15 | Bakker Manon | - | + 03:52 |
| 16 | McGill Sidney | - | + 04:23 |
| 17 | Brouwers Julie | - | + 04:33 |
| 18 | Brandau Elisabeth | - | + 04:54 |
| 19 | Morichon Anaïs | - | + 07:06 |
| 20 | Bialek Antonina | - | + 07:16 |
| 21 | Clauzel Perrine | - | + 07:31 |
| 22 | Vidon Amandine | - | + 08:00 |
| 23 | Lechner Eva | - | + 08:09 |
| 24 | Borello Carlotta | - | + 08:15 |
| 25 | Petitgirard Marlène | - | + 08:37 |
Fem van Empel 🇳🇱 a été sacrée championne du monde de #cyclocross après avoir pris le meilleur sur Lucinda Brand 🇳🇱, qui a commis une faute avant la dernière ligne droite. Puck Pieterse 🇳🇱 a complété le podium. #Lievin2025#cx #veldrijden pic.twitter.com/vNvPvuVFjY
— 🚴 Les Rois du Peloton 🚲 (@LRoisDuPeloton) February 1, 2025
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