"I have to make choices, and unfortunately, the Nationals don’t fit in” - Fem van Empel confirms absence from Dutch Cyclocross Championships
Cyclocross
Fem van Empel was unable to make it back to back victories to start 2025 on Friday afternoon at Duinencross Koksijde. Despite the world champion's best efforts, Van Empel had to settle for 3rd place as Puck Pieterse took victory ahead of Lucinda Brand.
“I didn’t feel like there was more in it today,” Van Empel admitted afterwards in quotes collected by Team Visma | Lease a Bike's official website. “Yesterday, I already didn’t feel great, and even during the course recon, things didn’t quite click. For me, that’s often a sign that things won’t go smoothly. The others were clearly stronger today. Third place isn’t a disaster, of course. I just hope to recover quickly and get back to performing at my best.”
Van Empel also confirmed that she wouldn't be present at the upcoming Dutch National Championships, one of the few elite titles that she hasn't yet taken victory. “My next race is this Sunday in Dendermonde, another tough course,” Van Empel concluded. “With such a busy schedule and big goals this season, I have to make choices, and unfortunately, the Nationals don’t fit in.”
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| 01 | Pieterse Puck | - | 46:42 |
| 02 | Brand Lucinda | - | + 19 |
| 03 | van Empel Fem | - | + 39 |
| 04 | van der Heijden Inge | - | + 53 |
| 05 | Cant Sanne | - | + 01:43 |
| 06 | Bakker Manon | - | + 01:46 |
| 07 | Brouwers Julie | - | + 02:33 |
| 08 | Truyen Marthe | - | + 02:36 |
| 09 | Betsema Denise | - | + 03:06 |
| 10 | Verdonschot Laura | - | + 03:38 |
| 11 | Baroni Francesca | - | + 04:11 |
| 12 | Wolff Imogen | - | + 04:48 |
| 13 | Crabbe Kiona | - | + 05:06 |
| 14 | Gunsalus Lizzy | - | + 05:46 |
| 15 | Clauzel Perrine | - | + 06:54 |
| 16 | Gallezot Electa | - | + 08:16 |
| 17 | Kalis Bloeme | - | + 08:33 |
| 18 | Inglis Hope | - | + 09:20 |
| 19 | Hickey Cassidy | - | + 09:38 |
| 20 | Kallestrup Sara Aaboe | - | + 10:08 |
| 21 | Defour Lara | - | + 10:19 |
| 22 | Zwaenepoel Tessa | - | + 10:42 |
| 23 | De Smedt Febe | - | + 11:19 |

Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- Pidcock finished 9th place, 29 minutes down. he is a helluva rider, so gutsy. and he is amazing at all disciplines. but this headline is . . .mij09-11-2026
- I know, watch the video. and listen to her competitors. it was a tricky tacky call at best. WTF is this guy talking about??? my original comment was from the picture it didn't look like anything.mij09-11-2026
- I dunno what you're talking about. you make no sense. MS's competitor and the competitors coach said it was BS. she didn't deviate in a way that relegation should be required. revel LOL. you're so cool, in your own mind.mij09-11-2026
- deviation lol, watch the videomij09-11-2026
- the 'No different than women who follow and discuss celebs through gossip magazines' comment was unfortunately a bit off. didn't you just boast about your principles in the comments section of another article?Ketterechts08-11-2026
- Are you MrMauMau 2.0? Nothing you are saying is really relevant. Vaguely connected, but irrelevant. The conversation is whether Schreiber impeded Brand or not.
Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Yeah, unreal.
parisbound0008-11-2026
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