“My main goal today was to get that 50th win” – Fem van Empel celebrates milestone moment after dominant display in Heerderstrand
Cyclocross
Fem van Empel reached another milestone in her extraordinary rise through cyclocross, claiming her 50th career victory with a composed yet crushing performance at Exact Cross Heerde. The world champion extended her perfect early-season run with another solo triumph, mastering the sodden Heerderstrand circuit as heavy rain and deep sand created treacherous conditions.
It was a win that combined her now-trademark control with a rare show of celebration. After crossing the line alone, Van Empel produced a “50” sign from beneath her jersey before firing a confetti cannon at the finish — a pre-planned flourish for a landmark that underlined her sustained dominance in the discipline.
Van Empel keeps her cool in a chaotic race
The 23-year-old Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider was rarely troubled once she moved into the lead on the penultimate lap, having gradually distanced Aniek van Alphen and Leonie Bentveld through the heavy sand sections. Even an early mechanical hiccup — when another rider clipped her bike — couldn’t disrupt her rhythm.
“I had a good start, but someone rode into the back of my bike,” she said afterwards. “I changed bikes just to be safe. I knew the course was incredibly heavy today, so I had to manage my effort carefully.”
Van Empel admitted she had been thinking about the milestone for days. “My main goal today was to get that 50th win,” she smiled. “I actually went to a fancy-dress shop yesterday, so I’d put a little bit of pressure on myself. I had a small sign ready, but my boyfriend had made a bigger improvised one to hand me at the finish.”
The Dutchwoman kept her focus to the line, resisting any late pressure as the slippery corners claimed several riders behind. “The last part was twisting and turning — a mistake was easy to make,” she explained. “I had to stay concentrated until I knew the gap was big enough to celebrate.”
With another win added to her tally — and a light-hearted reminder of just how far she’s already come — Van Empel continues to redefine what dominance looks like in modern cyclocross.
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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Bringing up the 50! 🔥 CX World Champion Fem van Empel secures the win at Exact Cross Heerderstrand - her 50th victory! 💪
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