Fem van Empel dominates in Maasmechelen
After winning the opening round in Waterloo, Fem van Empel has now also won the second round in the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup 2023-2024. The world champion dominated the race in Maasmechelen from start to finish, successfully completing a five-lap solo.
Once again, Fem van Empel was unstoppable. In Maasmechelen, the world champion was first into the field and never relinquished her lead.. Luxembourg's Marie Schreiber took second place after the start, but Ceylin Alvarado was the one who immediately saw the danger. She did not want to give Van Empel any space and latched onto the world champion’s wheel.
Wheel to wheel they started the second round, but after an error by Alvarado, Van Empel took off on her adventure. Alvarado had to change shoes a little later, after which she and Aniek van Alphen tried to limit the damage. The two rode together for a few laps in pursuit of Fem van Empel.
Halfway through the fourth round, Alvarado broke away from Van Alphen. The rider from Alpecin - Deceuninck seemed to be on her way to second place, but after she made a mistake, Van Alphen was able to rejoin her. In the end, it turned out to be a temporary reprieve for Van Alphen because, not much later, Alvarado went off alone again.
The podium places had taken definite shape. Just as in Waterloo, Fem van Empel was able to signal her victory as she crossed the finishing line in Maasmechelen. Alvarado finished second about a minute and a half after the world champion. Aniek van Alphen took third place on the podium.
