VIDEO: Highlights of thrilling 2024 European Championship as Thibau Nys & Fem van Empel secure titles

The 2024 Cyclocross European Championships served up a pair of absolutely thrilling races in the men's and women's elite categories. In the end, victories and the titles went to Thibau Nys and Fem van Empel respectively.

In the women's, world champion Van Empel took the title at the Pontevedra ahead of Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Lucinda Brand after a thrilling fight. Heading into the finale all three were still in the mix. Alvarado held the front but Van Empel was right on the wheel. In the end, victory was decided in a dramatic sprint for the line, where Van Empel ultimately snatched it at the death.

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For the men meanwhile, Nys prevailed after an incredibly exciting battle in Pontevedra, denying home crowd favourite Felipe Orts and taking his biggest career victory in the process. As they took the bell, Orts and Nys were 12 seconds clear of Van der Haar and Iserbyt, making it look like a two horse race for the title. Orts was beginning to look a little tired though and as he unmounted over the planks, Nys hopped away, creating a small gap at the front. As more errors began to creep into Orts' riding that gap only grew as Nys took victory.

If you missed any of the action, or just want to catch up on the dramatic action from the day, see the highlights down below courtesy of Eurosport Cycling's YouTube channel!

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