Van Empel outsprints Vas, Brand at thrilling Hoogerheide World Cup

Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) showed just why she has the World Champion’s jersey on her back at the Hoogerheide World Cup, brushing her shoulder in celebration after outsprinting Blanka Vas (SD Worx) to the line in one of the races of the season.

The Dutch star traded the lead with Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions), Vas and Marie Schreiber (SD Worx) throughout the six laps of racing in the Netherlands, but came back to the front at the crucial moment, overtaking Brand and Vas running up the stairs to take front position ahead of the sprint. 

Van Empel followed this up with the power and immediately gapped Van and Brand after the pair gave everything and took big risks to try and dethrone the World Champion ahead of her title defence in Tabor next week.