Former world cyclocross champion Fem van Empel made her competitive return to the mud last month, finishing fourth at the Berencross in Meulebeke on October 17, 2026. Exactly twelve months prior, the Dutch rider had walked away in distress during the Koppenbergcross on November 1, 2025, stepping away from the discipline entirely. Her departure from Visma-Lease a Bike followed early in 2026, a move aimed at giving the 24-year-old time to reset.
The return in Meulebeke offered a stark contrast to her exit a year ago. Van Empel admitted she suffered throughout the race but ultimately enjoyed her comeback in front of spectators and alongside her peers. It was immediately a good test to start with,
Van Empel told Sporza after securing fourth place. I didn’t really have an expectation beforehand. This is a pleasant surprise.
She added that she missed the family-like atmosphere among the riders and plans to race nearly every weekend with the goal of earning selection for the European Championships.
Lars Boom Points to Team Focus as Reason for Departure
The underlying cause of Van Empel’s prolonged absence stemmed from a mismatch with her former team rather than mental health struggles, according to her new ploegleider at FDJ-Suez, Lars Boom. Speaking on the Wielerflits podcast, Boom explained that the structural focus and rigorous regime at Visma-Lease a Bike simply did not suit her. Boom stressed he did not wish to step on anyone’s toes at the Dutch squad, but confirmed that the team’s internal environment played a major role in draining Van Empel’s enthusiasm for the sport.
That friction ultimately spurred her move to FDJ-Suez, where the management intends to rebuild her racing enjoyment. The team formalized that commitment by introducing Specialized-TMRW, a multidisciplinary setup designed to let riders combine road and off-road disciplines. Team manager Stephen Delcourt presented the new project ahead of Van Empel’s second cross race in Heerde, emphasizing that young athletes thrive when given the freedom to explore multiple disciplines. Alongside Van Empel, the setup includes mountain biker Kate Courtney, cross-and-mountain talents Anja Grossmann, and fellow cross racers Amanda Muller and Celia Gery.
Broader Friction Over Discipline and Control at Visma-Lease a Bike
Van Empel’s exit is not an isolated incident for Visma-Lease a Bike, as several other prominent riders have voiced similar concerns regarding the squad’s strict operational approach. Cian Uijtdebroeks previously opened up about the heavy discipline within the team following the departure of Merijn Zeeman. The Belgian rider noted that while the intense structure benefits certain athletes, it did not fit his needs, as he prefers to collaborate closely on deciding his own training schedules and requires a more relaxed team environment. Similarly, Dylan van Baarle cited a lack of freedom when he departed the Dutch squad to join Soudal Quick-Step, where he sought space to test whether his extreme training methods still yielded results.
Marie Schreiber claimed victory in the Meulebeke race, securing her third win of the season under the guidance of Sanne Cant. Schreiber acknowledged that difficult rainy conditions tested the field, while Cant noted satisfaction with the Luxembourg champion’s performance as the cyclocross calendar gathers momentum.
Specialized-TMRW Program Integration Balances Winter and Road Commitments
With her integration into the Specialized-TMRW program now official, her long-term calendar balances winter mud with future road commitments.
Worth a look
