Cyclo-cross world champion in the under-23 category Fem van Empel has signed a two-year contract to race for the Jumbo-Visma Women’s WorldTeam.
The Dutch rider will continue racing cyclo-cross with Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal when the season starts this weekend, but as of January 1 will be teammates with elite world champion Marianne Vos in the black and yellow of Jumbo-Visma.
“Although I’m still a novice compared to her, I hope we can help one another in the second half of the cross season. After all, you are stronger together than alone,” Van Empel said in a press release.
“I am thrilled with this step. It feels like a reward for my hard work in recent years. The highest a rider can achieve is joining a World Tour squad, and I now get the chance. I’m convinced that I’ll receive the best guidance here to advance, not just in terms of training and resources but also in terms of nutrition. I think that is very important. I do a lot on my own and try to do the right thing, but soon I will be certain everything is done right.”
The team will allow Van Empel to continue to compete across multiple disciplines, mixing road and mountain bike racing in the summer and cyclo-cross over the winter.
“I would like to discover what I can still achieve on a mountain bike. Team Jumbo-Visma is going to support me in that.”
A Dutch champion off-road, Van Empel has limited experience on the road but competed in the Thüringen Ladies Tour this season with the national team, and last year the Baloise Ladies Tour and Lotto Belgium Tour.
“I don’t have much experience on the road yet, but I’m open to everything. I want to discover my qualities. I can’t wait to begin riding multi-day races and spring classics. I think I’m pretty all-round. Both flat terrain and climbing hills suit me. Additionally, I have good explosiveness, so sprinting or an uphill finish should suit me, too.”
Tayler Wiles, Elynor Bäckstedt renew with Trek-Segafredo
Trek-Segafredo announced new contracts for two riders who have had injury-plagued seasons, with American Tayler Wiles and Welsh rider Elynor Bäckstedt coming back with motivation to return to their usual level.
Wiles ended her 2022 season early after being diagnosed with iliac artery endofibrosis and undergoing successful corrective surgery. Now back on the bike, Wiles is looking forward to another year with the US team.
“I am so excited to be extending my contract with Trek Segafredo for another year,” Wiles said. “This season has been unbelievably…
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