At the ongoing cyclo-cross world championships in Liévin, France, the women's elite race was a show of strength for the Netherlands. They even won four times, with Fem van Empel taking her third consecutive gold medal. She beat Lucinda Brand by 18 seconds and Puck Pieterset by 1.09.
Brand went into the final lap as the leader, but 22-year-old van Empel made his running speed and power pay off on the sharp climbs.
"It was very difficult to recover mentally after last weekend (missing the podium in two races) and that's why today's gold is very emotional. Lucinda Brand was a worthy opponent, she has had a very good season. I'm happy for the entire Dutch team," said three-time world champion van Empel.
"The track changed every day over the last few days, and it even changed after this morning's practice. It took time to get to know the track, but after the first few laps I felt comfortable and I had to mark for myself the places where I was better than others. I thought before the start that it would be a tough race, and that's how it was," he added.
On Sunday, the men will be in the spotlight.
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
