Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) claimed her 16th victory of the season at the X2O Trofee Hamme-Flandriencross after attacking off the front right from the start in the opening lap and never being seen again by the rest of the field.
The World Champion seemingly had things all but wrapped up after doubling her 11-second lead on lap one to 25 seconds by the time the next lap was completed and this lead would only increase past the minute mark as the six laps ticked by.
Results
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'Until the last kilometre I did the perfect race' – Florian Vermeersch misses defence but keeps his Gravel World Championships podium record intact in Nannup
'I was actually pretty confident I could do a good sprint' says defending champion after coming second to Magnus Bak Klaris in a four-way charge to the line -
HG Cross: Lucinda Brand lays down the power in Dendermonde to take first win on first day of racing in 2026/27 season
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado second, Denise Betsema third in tight opening race of series -
The gravel specialist gets it – A surprise win for Magnus Bak Klaris breaks domination of road pros on top step of Gravel World Championships podium
'I said before the start that I wanted to risk it and go for a big result and it was the podium I was thinking about' says Danish rider who paid his own way to world title race -
'I messed up that sprint a little bit' – Connor Swift 'pretty gutted' to miss out on closest shot at rainbow at Gravel World Championships
Bronze medallist says gravel title is 'the only World Championship jersey that I've got a real shot of getting'
