"What people say about me doesn't really matter to me" - Fem van Empel cannot be bothered by petty critique of her cyclocross performances

Cyclocross
Saturday, 18 January 2025 at 06:00
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Fem van Empel is having a more than solid cyclocross winter, yet despite her European title and World Cup victories, some still feel that she's less dominant than last winter. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider, however, isn't bothered by the critics and calmly continues her preparation towards World Championships in Liévin.

"And yet I can be very satisfied with my winter for the time being. I won all the races I had set my mind on," she refers to the European Championship, the Koppenbergcross and the World Cups in Antwerp, Gavere and Besançon. "For the rest I have only failed to finish on the podium once: in Namur. I was very unlucky then. If you disregard that race, I have had a very good season so far," Van Empel explains to Sporza.

And yet, there is some criticism here and there about Van Empel's cross winter. "What people say about me doesn't really matter to me. People don't know what I do and don't do for it. But a judgement is quickly made. But hey, I cross for myself and not for someone else."  

Criticism arose, for example, when Van Empel took all the time in the world to straighten her handlebars after a fall in Baal. Instead, she could have continued to the nearby material post. "I knew I was in good shape and wanted to straighten my handlebars calmly," Van Empel defends that action. "In the end, I closed a gap of 30 seconds and won after an exciting final lap. Great!"  

With 4 more appointments in her cross agenda, Van Empel is approaching the highlight of the cross season: the World Championships in Liévin. "It's a very nice course, one that should suit me. Whether it's dry or wet, it will be a spectacular cross anyway." After that, a short break should follow and then finally her first start on road of 2025: Milano-Sanremo. "I will ride Milano-Sanremo in a domestique role (for Marianne Vos)," she calms any excitement though. It's at Belgian classics where we can expect to see Vam Empel at the top...

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