The womens race is underway! Pieterse leads after a crash by Van Empel
As was the case in Val di Sole, the loose terrain proved very difficult for Fem van Empel. The World Cup leader has suffered a very big crash on the opening lap of the race in Zonhoven as she led the riders through it's famous sand dune.
Zonhoven is known for it's sand sectors, and two descents down a sand dune. In the first descent on the opening lap, van Empel who had been leading the race until then crashed hard in the descent.
Despite this the Jumbo-Visma rider managed to get up and continue her race. She would then crash again in the following dune, but nevertheless managed to save her race and ride into a very strong third place which salvaged her World Cup lead.
The womens race is underway! Pieterse leads after a crash by Van Empel