"I have no opinion about that" - Debate on amount of World Cup rounds irrelevant in women's cyclocross, Fem van Empel argues

Fem van Empel is the current World Champion and the most successful cyclocross rider of the winter so far in the women's field. She's won several World Cup rounds but, like most of her rivals, is not contesting for the classification. Unlike the men's side, there isn't much discussion in this field when it comes to the amount of races.

Van Empel will face, this afternoon in Benidorm, the likes of World Cup leader Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, newly crowned Dutch champion Lucinda Brand, and last year's rival in this very track Puck Pieterse. "We had a great battle here last year. I expect the same this year, but we will have to wait and see," the World Champion told Wielerflits.

She spoke about how during the recent Team Visma | Lease a Bike training camp she did not put focus into cyclocross training, but instead of building form and preparing for the upcoming road season. Nevertheless, she is expected to be a big favourite for the Spanish race this afternoon, taking into consideration her palmarès.

She was asked also on the current World Cup format, which is a motive for heavy and heated debate on the men's side. “I have no opinion about that," the 21-year old responds. "For me, I have to make choices. I want to compete in the races that I want to compete in. But I do understand that it is important to have more participants in the World Cup.” From the top riders in the field, Alvarado is the only rider focusing on the classification and is leading the charge for the win.