Fem van Empel has proven once again to be the dominant force in women's cyclocross, successfully defending her title at the 2025 UCI World Championships held on February 1, 2025, in Liévin, France. The 22-year-old showcased her exceptional abilities, overcoming fierce competition and securing her third consecutive Rainbow Jersey, making her the first elite woman to do so since Sanne Cant between 2017 and 2019.
The race unfolded as one of the most thrilling events of the weekend, with Van Empel and compatriot Lucinda Brand engaged in a gripping dual throughout the six laps. The pair traded leads multiple times, illustrating their remarkable skill and determination. Despite Brand’s valiant efforts, finishing second, it was Van Empel’s resilience and tactical prowess on the final lap which sealed her victory.
It began with Amandine Fouquenet, representing France, taking the early lead, much to the excitement of the home crowd. But soon after the first lap, it was Van Empel who started to assert her dominance alongside Puck Pieterse, who also remained closely behind. It became evident early on for spectators and commentators alike: the championship would likely be contested among these three Dutch riders.
By the end of the first lap, Van Empel and Pieterse had developed a considerable lead of nine seconds over Brand, who was trailing behind with her eyes set on reclaiming ground. During the second lap, Brand narrowed the gap, making the trio all the more competitive. When Van Empel and Pieterse both chose to pit at the start of the third lap, Brand seized the opportunity to momentarily take the lead.
The dynamics continued to shift throughout the race; at one point, Pieterse struggled to keep up, resulting in Brand and Van Empel distancing themselves from her. Yet, it was clear both were on their toes with every passing moment. Van Empel’s superior climbing ability on the steep banks became apparent, allowing her to regain the lead going forward, but this lead fluctuated as Brand continued her relentless pursuit.
Heading to the final lap, Brand clung to the hope of pulling away, even managing to secure a four-second lead as they approached the concluding stages of the race. The tension was palpable; would Brand hold off Van Empel’s legendary comeback? Just as Brand seemed poised to notch the victory, she encountered mechanical troubles, forcing her to stop and allow Van Empel to reclaim the momentum.
With only about 300 meters to go, Brand’s late-game mistake was disastrous. Having stumbled over a ramp, she put her foot down, losing precious seconds, and Van Empel leapt at the chance to break away decisively. The defending champion swiftly powered past and crossed the finishing line without the need for another sprint.
Reflecting on her performance post-race, Van Empel was candid about the challenges she faced, stating, "I haven’t even realized yet I won the race because I had to dig so deep for this. It was really tough..." She also expressed her respect for Brand, acknowledging her fierce competition, "Lucinda was a great opponent today. I really respect her. She rode a strong season, and I’m happy for her to be on the podium alongside Puck."
With Brand finishing 18 seconds behind and Pieterse managing to snag the bronze medal at 1:09 back, the race concluded as not just another victory, but also solidified the Netherlands’ superb standing within the sport. The podium proudly reflected the depth of talent within Dutch cycling, exhibiting why Holland continues producing world-class contenders.
This cycling championship was not only about the physical race but also about mental fortitude as conditions on the course transformed significantly leading up to the event. Van Empel noted these changes which made for challenging racing, explaining, "The course kept changing... It’s always difficult to know what to expect, but after few laps, you find the areas where you can excel over others." Acknowledging the mental strain she endured during the race, Van Empel was optimistic about future challenges, ready to tackle the next events.
Her victory, celebrated and long-awaited, exemplifies her resilience and passion for the sport. With her third title under her belt, Fem van Empel continues to establish her legacy, and fans eagerly await what she will accomplish next.