Unstoppable Fem van Empel wins World Cup Besancon as Marianne Vos returns to cyclocross

Fem van Empel has won the cyclocross World Cup Besancon with a dominant ride, defeating rival Lucinda Brand into second place and Kata Blanka Vas came home in third.

In the race where Marianne Vos returned to the cyclocross field for the first time since January 2023, it was the 22 year old Van Empel who came out with the victory. The field was stacked with talent, with only Puck Pieterse missing from the big names in the women's field.

World champion Fem van Empel made a strong start, and took the lead from Zoe Backstedt. At the end of the first lap, van Empel had a lead of 10 seconds from a group that included Backstedt and Lucinda Brand. At that stage, Vos and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado were already half a minute behind.

With 2 laps to grow, Van Empel was firmly in control and led Brand and Kata Blanka Vas by 29 seconds. Brand then managed to get away from Vas, whilst Backstedt and Vos traded blows as they battled over fourth and fifth spots.

But in the end, there was no stopping Fem van Empel who road further and further clear to prove she is still a class above the rest of the field. Eight time world champion Marianne Vos will be happy with her return to cyclocross, as she finished in fifth. Next up for the field is the Superprestige Diegem, which takes place tomorrow.