Van Empel outsprints Vas, Brand at thrilling Hoogerheide World Cup

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World Champion pushed to the limit by Blanka Vas and Lucinda Brand in three-way battle to the line on final lap

Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) takes the win in Hoogerheide
Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) takes the win in Hoogerheide (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) showed just why she has the World Champion's jersey on her back at the Hoogerheide World Cup, brushing her shoulder in celebration after outsprinting Blanka Vas (SD Worx) to the line in one of the races of the season.

The Dutch star traded the lead with Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions), Vas and Marie Schreiber (SD Worx) throughout the six laps of racing in the Netherlands, but came back to the front at the crucial moment, overtaking Brand and Vas running up the stairs to take front position ahead of the sprint. 

“I am very happy to win here for the second time,” said Van Empel post-race to WielerFlits.

“These victories are super important. It's nice to win two more times a week before the World Cup, but I mainly hope to stay healthy. Everything should fall into place on Saturday, then I will be extremely satisfied.

“I'm not going to do too much this week. I will travel to Tábor early and it will be important to explore the course well and keep calm."

Van Empel said the sprint against Vas was unknown given the Hungarian's speed on the road and proven ability having taken a Giro d'Italia Donne sprint stage just last season and the U23 road world title.

 “It was a big effort,” said Van Empel on retaking the lead up the 'stairway to heaven' section. “I had to skip a flight of stairs and actually didn't think I would get over Vas.

“But Blanka is a World Champion on the road. I've never sprinted against her before, so I just gave it a try."

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James Moultrie
James Moultrie
News Writer

James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined Cyclingnews as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d’Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport’s top riders in Chloé Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports – rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.

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