Fem van Empel secured a hard-fought victory in the ninth round of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Benidorm, triumphing in a nail-biting sprint over Lucinda Brand on the Costa Blanca. The reigning world champion claimed her third consecutive win at the Spanish event and her tenth of the season, holding off Brand in the closing metres after an intensely tactical final lap.
Van Empel, who controlled the race from the front throughout its six laps, reflected on her performance, saying, “The way I won today is special and shows my fight. I was very focused from the start and stayed in first or second position the whole time. Lucinda kept the door closed well, but the barriers were one of the last chances to find a gap. I went full throttle there and sprinted for the asphalt.”
Brand, who had to work her way up from 11th position after a challenging start, admitted, “It was close. Fem was just a bit faster over the barriers, and then it was very hard to pass her. The final stretches were so short, and every time I thought I had a chance, there was another corner. But I’m not disappointed—I was on the podium for the first time here.”
The race began with a large group of contenders sticking together through the opening laps, with Marie Schreiber and Van Empel initially setting the tempo. By the second lap, a sizeable lead group had formed, including Brand, Schreiber, and Marianne Vos, who had started from a disadvantaged position and had to battle her way through the field.
As the laps unfolded, the dynamic at the front remained fluid, with Van Empel frequently taking charge and Brand launching probing attacks to test her rivals. The decisive moment came in the final lap when Van Empel powered past Brand on the barriers section, creating a gap she would hold to the line. Schreiber finished third, narrowly denying Vos a podium spot.
Vos, reflecting on her fourth-place finish, said, “It was a beautiful race in a stunning setting. Even though I missed the podium, I’m happy with how I felt. The course was fast and technical, and it was a real battle to move up.”
Van Empel’s win comes after a season that has seen her dominate both in terms of victories and consistent podium finishes. “I can be very satisfied with my winter so far,” she said. “I’ve won the crosses I had aimed for, and I feel confident in my strength.”
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Photo Credit: GettyNys seizes the day with a final-lap attack
In the men’s elite race, Thibau Nys delivered a masterclass in timing and positioning to claim victory, launching a decisive attack on the final lap to distance Eli Iserbyt and Lars van der Haar, who completed the podium.
“It all came together perfectly today,” Nys said. “The right legs at the right time. I knew the final climb would be critical, and I gave it everything.”
Wout van Aert, who started from a poor grid position, worked his way up through the field but ultimately fell short, finishing fourth. Reflecting on his performance, Van Aert said, “It was a super-fast race. I didn’t feel great and was on the limit from the start. It took far too long to reach the front, and I didn’t have the legs to make the difference in the end.”
Van Aert also addressed his recent road training block, stating that it wasn’t an excuse for his result. “I had a good rest day yesterday, so that shouldn’t be a factor. It’s just that some days things don’t come together. I’m already looking ahead to the next race.”
The early laps of the men’s race were defined by a fierce battle for control, with Felipe Orts taking an early lead to the delight of the home crowd. Orts and Niels Vandeputte dictated the pace initially, but a group of favourites, including Nys, Iserbyt, and Michael Vanthourenhout, quickly organised themselves near the front.
Photo Credit: GettyAs the race progressed, separation was hard to achieve, with a group of 10 riders dominating proceedings. The penultimate lap saw Van der Haar and Iserbyt launch a break, forcing Van Aert to lead the chase. The effort brought the group back together, but Van Aert’s energy reserves were dwindling.
Nys made his move midway through the final lap, attacking powerfully on the race’s key climb to distance Iserbyt and the rest of the group. From there, he held his advantage, crossing the line solo to take a memorable victory.
Behind him, Iserbyt and Van der Haar battled for the remaining podium spots, with Iserbyt edging out the Dutchman for second. Van Aert came home fourth, unable to match the late surge of the podium trio, while Vanthourenhout finished fifth, maintaining his lead in the overall World Cup standings.
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Main photo credit:Getty
