After demonstrations in Beringen and Waterloo, the Dutch Fem van Empel (Jumbo-Visma) also picked the grapes in Overijse the fastest. The world champion took the lead after just 5 minutes. Ceylin Alvarado was “the best of the rest”, Inge van der Heijden completed the podium. Sanne Cant came in 11th in her first cross of the season.
After 23 years, the Mother of Crosses returned to the Superprestige, the oldest regularity criterion in the field.
Fem van Empel was not yet on the honors list of the Druivencross, but that quickly changed. Without her biggest competitors Puck Pieterse and Shirin van Anrooij, she was able to quickly set up her solo.
Van Empel squeezed out the competition in the first round. With striking ease – or so it seemed – she rode to a 3 out of 3. In recent weeks, the world champion was also the best in Beringen and Waterloo (USA).
The class difference was great. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado finished almost a minute behind Van Empel. The leader of Alpecin-Deceuninck quickly made it clear that she was best of the rest in Overijse.
The battle for third podium place was more involved. Annemarie Worst and Inge van Der Heijden played leapfrog in the meadows. Van der Heijden jumped the best.
Laura Verdonschot was the first Belgian to arrive. She held off Sanne Cant.
The Belgian champion rode her first cyclocross of the season. “Hopefully a better season than last year,” she said beforehand.
Van Empel: “Rest during the week was good”
Fem van Empel was impressed that she had driven away from her nearest attacker for almost a minute.
“I just tried to have a good race. I could only have dreamed that I would have such a lead,” the winner laughed.
After her trip to the US, Van Empel did not feel well. “Maybe I should take it easier more often during the week and then hit the ground running in the match.”
Van Empel will probably skip a cross weekend every month. “We have agreed within the team that we will mainly listen to how I feel.”
“People forget how young (21) I still am. It is very difficult to say to yourself: “I am doing a little less.” But I have the right people around me who also monitor it, which is nice.”
Skip a cross weekend every month? We have agreed within the team that we will mainly listen to how I feel about myself.
Fem van Empel
Ceylin Alvarado was satisfied with her 2nd place: “I got the most out of it. When Van Empel rode away, I was cursing on my bike. I had started very badly and was way too far.”
“It took three quarters of a lap before I was at the front. By then Van Empel had already started flying.”
Inge van der Heijden considered her 3rd place as a victory. “Finally!”, the Dutch woman responded.
“I had to wait a while, but today I felt that I can compete at the front again. That is already a big victory for me.”
“I hope I can take another step. But if I can compete for the podium, then I will be very satisfied.”
Reactions after the cross in Overijse:
Result SP Overijse (women)
14 hours 27. Van Empel solos to victory in Overijse.
Van Empel solos to victory in Overijse
14 hours 26. Sanne Cant 11th. There are the Belgian participants. Laura Verdonschot clenches her fist. She crosses the line in 10th place, ahead of Sanne Cant and Marion Norbert Riberolle. .
Sanne Cant 11e
There are the Belgian participants.
Laura Verdonschot clenches her fist. She crosses the line in 10th place, ahead of Sanne Cant and Marion Norbert Riberolle.
2pm 25. rash. 1. Van Empel 2. Alvarado 3. Van der Heijden 4. Worst 5. Van Alphen 6. Betsema .
rash
1. Van Empel
2. Alvarado
3. Van der Heijden
4. Worst
5. Van Alphen
6. Bethshem
14 hours 23. Van Empel squeezes everyone out. Fem van Empel’s interval training has ended. She wins by almost a minute ahead of Ceylin Alvarado. The world champion can celebrate her 3rd victory of the season. .
Van Empel squeezes everyone
Fem van Empel’s interval training has ended. She wins by almost a minute ahead of Ceylin Alvarado.
The world champion can celebrate her 3rd victory of the season.
2 p.m. 21. Fem van Empel destroys everything. Paul Herygers.
Fem van Empel is destroying everything.
Paul Herygers
2:20 PM. The podium is set: Van Empel 1, Alvarado 2 and Van der Heijden 3. .
The podium is set: Van Empel 1, Alvarado 2 and Van der Heijden 3.
2:15 p.m. score after 4 rounds. 1. Van Empel 2. Alvarado 3. Van der Heijden 4. Worst 5. Van Alphen .
standings after 4 rounds
1. Van Empel
2. Alvarado
3. Van der Heijden
4. Worst
5. Van Alphen
2:15 p.m. last lap. The bell sounds for Fem van Empel. She is on her way to her first victory in the Druivencross. Last year she came second after Puck Pieterse. .
last round
The bell sounds for Fem van Empel. She is on her way to her first victory in the Druivencross. Last year she came second after Puck Pieterse.
2 p.m. 14. Denise Betsema forms a duo with her teammate Leonie Bentveld. The two ride for 7th place. .
Denise Betsema forms a duo with her teammate Leonie Bentveld. The two are riding for 7th place.
2 p.m. 1 p.m. Alvarado picks up a clean bicycle in the equipment zone. The leader of Alpecin-Deceuninck is on her way to place 2. .
Alvarado picks up a clean bicycle in the equipment zone. The leader of Alpecin-Deceuninck is on her way to 2nd place.
2 p.m. 1 p.m. Van Empel is going to take breaks. Fem van Empel will not dominate the entire season. The world champion will skip some matches here and there. “She will skip a weekend every month,” says Jumbo-Visma sports director Jan Boven. The first break will come in two weeks after the European Championships in Pontchâteau. Van Empel is the title defender. .
Van Empel is going to take breaks
Fem van Empel will not dominate the entire season. The world champion will skip some matches here and there.
“She will skip a weekend every month,” says Jumbo-Visma sports director Jan Boven.
The first break will come in two weeks after the European Championships in Pontchâteau. Van Empel is the title defender.
Can anyone still threaten Van Empel? 2 pm 10.
Can anyone still threaten Van Empel?
2 p.m. 09.Cross-Cross World Championships
The only one who could follow Van Aert and Van der Poel: the story behind the drone at the Cyclo-cross World Championships
2pm 09. Fly with me! Do you remember the beautiful drone images of the World Cup in Hoogerheide? They’re back! After the cross we will serve you a summary. .
Fly with me!
Do you remember the beautiful drone images of the World Cup in Hoogerheide? They’re back!
After the cross we will serve you a summary.
14 hours 08. score after 3 rounds. 1. Van Empel 2. Alvarado – at 34″ 3. Van der Heijden – 51″ 4. Worst – 53″.
standings after 3 rounds
1. Van Empel
2. Alvarado – op 34″
3. Van der Heijden – 51″
4. Worst – 53″
14 hours 05. 3 on 3 for Van Empel? Halfway through this Grape Cross, Fem van Empel is already shaking hands. The Dutch is on her way to a 3 out of 3. In recent weeks, the world champion also won in Beringen and Waterloo. .
3 out of 3 for Van Empel?
Halfway through this Grape Cross, Fem van Empel is already shaking hands. The Dutch is on the way to a 3 out of 3.
In recent weeks, the world champion also won in Beringen and Waterloo.
2 p.m. 03. Annemarie Worst and Inge van der Heijden play leapfrog in the meadows of Overijse. At stake: the third podium place. .
Annemarie Worst and Inge van der Heijden play leapfrog in the meadows of Overijse. At stake: the third podium place.
Sanne Cant rides her first cross of the season. 2pm 03.
Sanne Cant rides her first cross of the season
14 hours 02. I estimate that Van Empel is driving at 80 percent. Ruben Van Gucht.
I estimate that Van Empel is running at 80 percent.
Ruben Van Gucht
13 hours 59. Betsema 10th. Bike change for Van Empel. She has plenty of room for that. The director takes the time to visit Denise Betsema. She rides in 10th position. .
Betsema 10e
Bike change for Van Empel. She has plenty of room for that.
The director takes the time to visit Denise Betsema. She rides in 10th position.
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