Results CX Nacht van Woerden | Felipe Orts and Fem van Empel victorious on night cross

The Nacht van Woerden is one of cyclocross' most iconic venues with the event always taking place at night, and this year before the start of any major cup. This Tuesday night we've had some quite popular winners as Felipe Orts and Fem van Empel raised their arms in glory.

In the women's race van Empel did not have an easy time, as on the fast circuit she had to battle along with her compatriot Aniek van Alphen and could not quite drop her throughout the race. It was a tense last-lap fight that saw her escape for the win 4 seconds ahead, whilst Inge van der Heijden went on to complete the podium.

From the first laps, Orts showed his ambition. On a fast and technical course, he soon broke away from the main group with Pim Ronhaar, another of the big Dutch names in the discipline. Both opened a gap on the rest, leaving Van der Haar trapped in a chasing group with Ryan Kamp and Jente Michels, unable to close the gap.

The duel between Orts and Ronhaar marked the development of the race. For much of the race, the Dutchman seemed to take the lead, gradually increasing his advantage. The last lap served to confirm his dominance. Ronhaar, unresponsive to the Spanish rider's push, saw Orts ride away to victory. He crossed the finish line with enough margin to celebrate a historic victory, which not only gives him personal prestige, but also breaks a streak of ten years without a name other than Van der Haar's appearing on the winners' list of the Nacht van Woerden.

The Dutchman, who had won the last eight editions contested (and ten in total since 2014), could not extend his reign at home. Orts, on the other hand, confirmed his excellent form and proved once again that he is one of the few riders capable of beating the great Dutch and Belgian specialists on their home turf.