“Nothing is a must”: Fem van Empel completes Koppenbergcross return after year of career uncertainty

Fem van Empel is gradually finding her way back into competitive cyclocross after a difficult year away from the sport. The Dutchwoman completed her third race of the winter at the Koppenbergcross on November 1, finishing eighth after working her way through the field from a position near the back of the starting grid. More importantly, she left the race satisfied with her performance and the progress she has made since returning.

The race carried particular significance for the 24-year-old. Exactly one year earlier, Van Empel had abandoned the Koppenbergcross after just a few minutes, while still riding for Visma | Lease a Bike. That appearance proved to be her last cyclocross race for an extended period, preceding her departure from the team and a break from competition.

Her return to the same event offered an opportunity to approach the Koppenberg under very different circumstances. Racing for Specialized TMRW, the team closely associated with FDJ and Demi Vollering, Van Empel started from the fourth row and had to spend much of the race making up ground.

“I knew beforehand that I'd have to start fairly far back, in the last row. But I think it's good for me at this stage of the season to build up my toughness by passing other riders,” she explained to IDL Pro Cycling.

Despite the difficult starting position, Van Empel was pleased with how she handled the race. “I rode a good race, making up ground, and I'm happy with how it went,” she said. “I could have crossed the finish line angry, but there were a lot of fans cheering for me, and I love coming here. I wanted to thank them.”

Van Empel's return has been deliberately gradual. After leaving Visma | Lease a Bike, the multiple-time world champion stepped away from racing before eventually deciding to resume her career with Specialized TMRW.

Team director Lars Boom was careful not to place unnecessary emphasis on the events of the previous year before the Koppenbergcross. “I didn't want to emphasize that either, because I think this is just a cyclocross race like any other. But it's also a very difficult race. Still, I think she's pretty much put that period behind her,” Boom said.

Van Empel herself acknowledged that the past year had been extremely difficult for her. “I'm really happy to be back here. It hasn't been an easy year for me. I'll share my full story at the end of the year to explain things further. Above all, I'm proud to be here and to race for a new team. Nothing is a must,” she said.

Boom has also noticed a positive change in her attitude and believes her condition is improving with each appearance. “She's in good shape, too. She's making progress every week. We're getting back into a steady rhythm week by week. That's nice, too. So she's moving forward step by step. And she feels good, too - otherwise she wouldn't have started the cyclocross season. Things are just heading in the right direction,” he explained.

The team's approach is based on adapting expectations to Van Empel's current condition. Before the season began, Boom had already indicated that results would not be the main priority, and the Koppenberg provided a clear example of that philosophy

“Where we are now, the Koppenberg, is a really tough cyclocross course. Here, you have to conserve your energy for a long time. And if you have strong legs, you'll gradually work your way up from the back. She's starting from the fourth row, so you have to anticipate that, too. You have to adapt your race strategy to the conditions you're riding in and where you have to start. And she's coming from far back - of course, you can't forget that,” he said.

“No, just to ride a steady race and see if there are any areas for improvement compared to the week before. That's the goal every week,” Boom added when asked whether the team was looking to compete for victories.

Van Empel's next major appearance will come at the European Championships in Zeddam, the Netherlands, on November 7. “It's in the Netherlands, and it's always nice to race in your own country. You can tell from the footage that it's a beautiful course,” she said.

However, she was realistic about what she could achieve. “Given the way we've structured the season, I don't think it's realistic for me to be in peak form for the European Championships,” Van Empel concluded.