Fem Van Empel (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) returned to top spot of the women’s World Cup podium by winning the eighth round in Antwerpen.
After a crash ruined her chances last weekend in Hulst, the 20-year-old made no mistake this time taking control at the half-way point and distancing rival Puck Pieterse (Alpecin – Deceuninck).
Pieterse had won the previous two World Cup rounds and despite forcing her rival into early errors struggled to match the speed of Van Empel on the hard ground in the latter stages.
Shirin Van Anrooij (Baloise Trek Lions) crashed heavily on the opening lap allowing the leading duo a gap and was left chasing in third for the remainder of the race
Van Empel who had mixed training with racing during November was in firm control after mastering the course taking victory by 34 seconds while Pieterse had to settle for second.
Van Anrooij saw off the challenge of Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) and Inge Van der Heijden (777) in the battle for third to clinch her fifth World Cup podium of the season
More to come.
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