3 in a row for Van Empel in Benidorm

World champion Fem van Empel remains unbeaten in Benidorm. For the third year in a row, she was the best in the Spanish sun. Van Empel made it through in an exciting final round ahead of World Cup leader Brand and Luxembourg champion Schreiber.

The women's race remained closed for three laps. World champion Van Empel (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) set the pace, but separation was not forthcoming. On lap three, World Cup leader Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) gathered pace at the front, which resulted in a leading group that also included Van Empel, Vas (Team SD Worx-Protime) and Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck) at the start of lap four.

For the latter, things went too fast on the asphalt climb on that fourth lap. She had to let go meter by meter, while Vas was just able to hitch her wagon to Brand and Van Empel. Alvarado dived into the penultimate lap trailing by five seconds.

Then, in that penultimate lap, everything finally ran together again. Among others, Schreiber (Team SD Worx-Protime) and Vos (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) joined the front again. With 10 riders we entered the final lap. Brand continued to set the pace and pushed hard on the pedals one more time on the uphill stretch of asphalt. Schreiber and Van Empel each took turns in the lead. For Vos it went too fast for a moment, but she was able to hold on.

On the final passage on the bars, Van Empel accelerated from second position. She passed Brand and dived into the absolute final in the lead. She did not relinquish that position and thus started the sprint towards the finish line first. She controlled her final shot perfectly and triumphed ahead of Brand. Schreiber was in third place.