Fem van Empel maintains perfect record at Antwerp World Cup

Fem van Empel
Fem van Empel wins the Antwerp World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

Fem van Empel (Jumbo-Visma) continued her winning streak by powering to victory at the Antwerp World Cup. The world champion has now won 11 races out of 11 this winter, though she had to fight hard for this latest triumph against an on-form Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions).

Brand, winner of the Exact Cross Mol on Friday, once again used her mastery of sand to good effect here, but she was ultimately beaten by Van Empel, who made full use of her technical skills to forge clear on the fourth of six laps.

Brand never relented, at one point closing almost to within touching distance of Van Empel, but the world champion’s speed across the sand proved decisive and she nudged her lead out once again.

“My start was quite good from the second row and during the race I felt really strong,” Van Empel said afterwards. “I missed a little bit pushing myself to the limits after being sick recently, so it was a tough race, but I felt confident especially once I was able to jump the barriers.”

Brand felt that she had matched Van Empel’s strength on the day, but the world champion’s technical ability helped her to the win. “Jumping the barriers was very decisive here,” Brand said. “We were the same strength, maybe, but she could keep the gap.”

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