Fem van Empel made her triumphant return to cyclocross with a stunning victory at the Gavere World Cup on December 26, 2022. The reigning world champion demonstrated her dominance throughout the race, leaving behind her competitors Lucinda Brand and Puck Pieterse, who finished second and third, respectively.
After missing the previous two World Cup races due to a knee injury sustained during training, Van Empel's performance at Gavere showcased her resilience and skill. From the start, it became evident why she holds the world champion title. She quickly moved to the front of the pack, engaging with Pieterse, who was the only rider able to keep pace initially.
"This does a lot for me. I couldn't do much lately, but I'm super happy with this victory on this beautiful course," said Van Empel after the race. Her joy was palpable as she managed to execute her plan flawlessly, especially during the race's physically demanding sections.
The race started with high tension as Van Empel's strong start kept her fans on the edge of their seats. Alongside Pieterse, they opened up a small lead, leaving the trailing group, which included Brand and several other competitors, struggling to catch up. The course's heavy snow and mud made conditions challenging, but it played to the strengths of Van Empel, who managed to navigate the loops with remarkable agility.
By the second lap, Van Empel increased her lead, demonstrating superior running skills during the course's tricky sections. "Fem was very strong, but I made many mistakes," admitted Brand. Despite her usual consistency, Brand grappled with some errors, which hindered her ability to keep up with the leading duo.
Meanwhile, Pieterse faced her challenges and had to dig deep to maintain contact with Van Empel. Unfortunately for her, as the laps progressed, she succumbed to fatigue and the physical demands of the course, leading to her falling behind.
The race reached its peak as Van Empel maintained her commanding lead, boasting margins of up to 28 seconds by the penultimate lap. Behind her, the battle for second place heated up after Pieterse fell late in the race, allowing Brand to encroach and eventually surpass her. Brand commented on her comeback, noting the pressure of her competition, saying, "I’m happy to have been able to compete for 2nd place with Lucinda."
Brand finished the race 37 seconds behind Van Empel, reinforcing her status as the leader of the World Cup standings. The podium concluded with Pieterse crossing the finish line 46 seconds after the winner.
With this victory, Van Empel not only claimed the spot atop the podium but also made her mark on the season, proving her ability to recover quickly after her injury. The Gavere race, known for being one of the more challenging tracks, provided the perfect backdrop for her dominance. Van Empel has shown the cyclocross community what she is capable of, and after this performance, she will no doubt be one to watch closely as the season continues.
Reflecting on her performance, Van Empel acknowledged her need to manage her energy throughout the technical sections of the race, saying, "I was able to distribute my breath well, and I did my thing, which was enough." Her approach to racing is expected to carry her through the rest of the events this season, as she prepares to build on her momentum.