"Wasn't my luckiest race, but Lucinda was also simply the strongest" - Fem van Empel reacts to Dublin disappointment
Cyclocross
For most riders, coming second in a World Cup race would be seen as a major positive. For the all-conquering Fem van Empel however, whenever the world champion isn't on the top step of the podium, as happened on Sunday afternoon at the World Cup Dublin, it's seen as a disappointment.
In Ireland, it was Van Empel's compatriot, Lucinda Brand who starred, dominating in Dublin to take a very impressive victory. For Van Empel meanwhile, it was a rare defeat as she came home around 20 seconds down in second place. Afterwards though, the Team Visma | Lease a Bike star wasn't looking for any excuses.
“It certainly wasn't my luckiest race, but Lucinda was also simply the strongest today,” Van Empel reflected in her post-race interview afterwards. “In the sand passage on the third lap, I rode a little too close behind her, after which I had to run. After the gap was created, I was unfortunately unable to get any closer.”
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| 01 | Brand Lucinda | - | 47:24 |
| 02 | van Empel Fem | - | + 24 |
| 03 | Backstedt Zoe | - | + 01:03 |
| 04 | van der Heijden Inge | - | + 01:13 |
| 05 | Vas Blanka | - | + 01:17 |
| 06 | Worst Annemarie | - | + 01:34 |
| 07 | Schreiber Marie | - | + 01:55 |
| 08 | Norbert Riberolle Marion | - | + 02:11 |
| 09 | Bentveld Leonie | - | + 02:13 |
| 10 | van Alphen Aniek | - | + 02:14 |
| 11 | Fouquenet Amandine | - | + 02:19 |
| 12 | Moors Fleur | - | + 02:49 |
| 13 | Betsema Denise | - | + 03:05 |
| 14 | Verdonschot Laura | - | + 03:21 |
| 15 | Rochette Maghalie | - | + 03:23 |
| 16 | Franck Alicia | - | + 03:39 |
| 17 | Clauzel Hélène | - | + 03:39 |
| 18 | De Beer Jamie | - | + 03:40 |
| 19 | Bakker Manon | - | + 03:45 |
| 20 | Wolff Imogen | - | + 03:47 |
| 21 | Kay Anna | - | + 03:51 |
| 22 | Gonzalez Blanco Lucia | - | + 03:54 |
| 23 | Brouwers Julie | - | + 03:54 |
| 24 | Muller Amandine | - | + 04:29 |
| 25 | Rodriguez Revert Sofia | - | + 04:31 |
| 26 | McGill Sidney | - | + 04:58 |
| 27 | Van Sinaey Xaydee | - | + 05:08 |
| 28 | Gonzalez Alicia | - | + 05:25 |
| 29 | Coppens Nette | - | + 05:43 |
| 30 | Nuss Raylyn | - | + 05:57 |
| 31 | Hurteloup Adèle | - | + 06:31 |
| 32 | Baker Alderney | - | + 06:46 |
| 33 | Cueto Vega Sara | - | + 06:56 |
| 34 | Colling Alice | - | + 07:08 |
| 35 | Day Elena | - | + 07:29 |
| 36 | Peeters Jinse | - | + 07:45 |
| 37 | De Schoesitter Shanyl | - | + 08:11 |
| 38 | Wong Esther | - | + 08:13 |
| 39 | Crees Xan | - | + 08:50 |
Wereldbekerwedstrijd in Dublin op 1-12-2024
— Veldritkrant (@Veldritkrant) December 1, 2024
Podium elite dames
1 Lucinda Brand 🇳🇱
2 Fem van Empel 🇳🇱
3 Zoe Bäckstedt 🇬🇧https://t.co/62lGirNDXY
Fotocredit Ethan Glading pic.twitter.com/9rtoFNlErd
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
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- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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