"I'll need some new knees at the end of the season I think" - Fem van Empel battles through injury to take victory in Koksijde

Fem van Empel was a cut above the rest on Thursday afternoon at the X2O Trofee in Koksijde. Although she was almost faultless, one little slip up saw the world champion fall down on her already troubled knee.

“It was on the stitched knee, so well… I'll need some new knees at the end of the season I think," the Team Visma | Lease a Bike star says of the incident in her post-race interview. "No, I hope it didn't get too much damage. I can't see what it's like now. I had sealed it well, but a blow can of course do a lot. We will see."

Leading from the start to the finish, van Empel was clearly ahead of her nearest rivals, Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado. “If you have the space to ride your own lines, you have more peace of mind,” reflects Van Empel. “I had a gap quite quickly and then I continued at my own pace.”

In fact, the Dutchwoman only actually made her choice to compete at Koksijde at the very last minute. “Yesterday I decided to start today, so I am very happy to win here,” she concludes.