New cyclocross season, same story as Fem van Empel takes dominant victory Exact Cross Beringen

Fem van Empel has opened the 2024/25 cyclocross season much as she ended the last by taking a dominant victory at Exact Cross Beringen this Saturday afternoon in Belgium ahead of Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Lucinda Brand.

On the opening lap, it was all about Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado as she powered away from world champion Fem van Empel and into a considerable early lead. A few mistakes by the Dutchwoman on lap 2 though, saw not only Van Empel pass her but also Sara Casasola and Lucinda Brand too, giving Alvarado some chasing to do to get back in race-winning contention.

With three laps down, Van Empel was still a clear leader, but a recovering Alvarado had forced her way back up to 2nd, although both Casasola and Brand were keenly following. As the world champion took the bell, the 22-year-old had 25 seconds on Alvarado, with Brand 38 seconds down and Casasola now seemingly out of contention. With no major mistakes on the final lap, things finished Van Empel, Alvarado, Brand.