At the Cyclo-cross World Championships in Liévin, France, the women's elite race turned into a Dutch demonstration. They secured a one-two-three-four finish, with Fem van Empel claiming her third consecutive gold medal. She finished 18 seconds ahead of Lucinda Brand and 1:09 ahead of Puck Pieterse.
Brand entered the final lap as the leader, but the 22-year-old van Empel asserted her running speed and strength on the steep climbs.
"After last weekend, it was very difficult to recover mentally (I missed the podium in two races), so today's gold is very emotional. Lucinda Brand was a worthy opponent; she has had a great season. I am happy for the entire Dutch team," said three-time world champion van Empel.
"Over the last few days, the course changed every day, and it even changed after this morning's training. It took time to get to know the course, but after the first few laps, I felt comfortable and had to identify the sections where I am better than others. I thought before the start that it would be a tough battle, and it was," she added.
The men will compete on Sunday.
NOTHING IN IT 🥵
— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) February 1, 2025
Fem van Empel and Lucinda Brand are neck and neck!
We all know Brand gets stronger as the race goes on 💪 and she has made it clear that she doesn't want it to come down to a sprint between van Empel 😮 💨#Lievin2025 pic.twitter.com/fTgxxKENlZ
Last lap 🔔 and Lucinda Brand has a gap!
— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) February 1, 2025
Is Fem van Empel playing a tactical gap or has she got nothing left in the tank? #Lievin2025 pic.twitter.com/AxqZ6VQA2I
Women Elite 🏆 at the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships:
— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) February 1, 2025
🥇 Fem van Empel 🇳🇱
🥈 Lucinda Brand 🇳🇱 +0:18
🥉 Puck Pieterse 🇳🇱 +1:09 #Lievin2025 pic.twitter.com/T4EdZ4Z3HD
FEM-TASTIC 🎉🎉🎉
— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) February 1, 2025
3rd consecutive Women Elite UCI #CycloCross World Championship title for Fem van Empel 🥇🥇🥇#Lievin2025 pic.twitter.com/T5kseoznaD
Top tip 🚨: Left hand line is a fast one 🎢
— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) February 1, 2025
Great move by Fem van Empel as she gets back ahead of Puck Pieterse and lucinda Brand.
Puck Pieterse goes in for a bike change and loses touch with the leading duo. #Lievin2025 pic.twitter.com/ezClakZvQA
