Van Empel secures second consecutive European title with dominant performance

After a slow start, Dutch cyclist Fem van Empel took control of the race and rode to her second consecutive European title in women’s cyclo-cross. Van Empel admitted to making mistakes early on, but managed to find her rhythm and build a comfortable lead over her competitors.

“I made too many mistakes on the first lap”, Van Empel said. “That made it difficult to get into the right rhythm. The plan before the start was to attack on the sloping section at the end of the lap. That worked and I was able to ride at my own pace. I am happy to keep this jersey for another year.”

Van Empel’s victory comes after a successful start to the season, winning all seven cyclo-cross races she has competed in. Despite her strong form, she feels the need for a well-deserved break and plans to take two weeks off to rest and recharge.

“I need some rest”, Van Empel admitted. “Mentally it is a challenge to start every race as the favorite. I’m in great shape, but it’s not easy to keep myself motivated. That’s why I decided to take two weeks off. This will allow me to recharge my batteries for the rest of the season.”

With her European title secured, Van Empel can now focus on the upcoming challenges of the season, fully recharged and ready to defend her winning streak.