Fem van Empel (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) took another World Cup victory despite suffering stomach problems in Dublin, beating rival Puck Pieterse (Alpecin – Deceuninck) with an ‘all or nothing’ last-lap attack.
The 20-year-old won her 10th cyclocross event of the season seeing off the challenge of a resurgent Pieterse and made her winning move in Ireland coming into the last corner.
Rival Pieterse suffered a first-lap crash on the planks and lost 20 seconds to the European Champion before storming back through the field. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider came back to Van Empel by the midway point and then made several attacks in search of victory.
However, Van Empel was equal to her rival’s efforts before launching her winning attacking with seconds left of the race remaining while Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) finished third.
The 20-year-old said she was not feeling 100 per cent but took a sixth World Cup win of the season.
“Luckily I had some energy left on the last corner which made the difference to take over Puck [Pieterse],” said Van Empel. “We were really strong both together. I think we are at the same level at the moment and it is either Puck or me and every race a battle.
“It was a bit tactical to go for Puck at the last part of the race. It was all or nothing for the win. Maybe Puck had a tactic but mine was to come first at the finish line which was enough to win.
“I wasn’t really feeling OK during the race because of some stomach problems last night. I was not 100 per cent or feeling myself, but I could also win without feeling 100 per cent.”
Van Empel and Pieterse have been fierce rivals in this year’s cyclocross World Cup with little between the 20-year-old rivals.
“Hopefully yes,” Van Empel said when asked if their rivalry could go on for years to come. “Hopefully also in the mountain bike and hopefully is Puck goes onto the road also. We are really good together, we make each other stronger and it makes the sport also fun to watch. Also for the younger girls who hope to become a cyclo-cross rider and look up to us.
“Puck to win or me makes it really fun to watch and for the crowd Especially in another country, Dublin is nice. I hope to come back next year.”
Pieterse is becoming known for her bunny hopping and technical skills taking an advantage on her rivals.
However, on the first lap Betsema ran in front of the Dutch youngster leaving her no space to ride and crashing losing time.
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