World and European women’s cyclocross champion Fem Van Empel sees World Cup overall hopes all but ended this weekend

Dutch Fem Van Empel pictured in action during the women's elite race at the World Cup cyclocross cycling event in Namur, Belgium, stage 4 (out of 12) of the UCI World Cup cyclocross competition, Sunday 15 December 2024. BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS (Photo by DAVID PINTENS / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP)
Fem Van Empel (Visma-Lease A Bike) at Namur World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

World and European women’s cyclo-cross champion Fem Van Empel will see her World Cup overall hopes all but ended this weekend. After missing today’s race in Hulst, the Visma-Lease a Bike rider will also miss tomorrow’s event in Zonhoven in a World Cup doubleheader.

The 22-year-old hit her knee and looked in discomfort during last weekend’s World Cup in Namur. Van Empel was clearly impacted by the heavy crash and was seen hobbling away as she continued, before battling her way back to seventh.

Ben raced as an amateur cyclist in the UK from a young age into the senior ranks on the road, track and in cyclocross. He has an NQJ qualification in journalism, and a sports journalism degree, and has spent over 10 years as a news and sports journalist. Ben has been covering cyclocross for media outlets, including Cyclingnews, since 2021 and has been on the ground reporting at World Championships in Zolder, Belvaux, Valkenberg, Dubendorf, and Hoogerheide. Away from cycling as a freelance sports journalist, Ben regularly reports on a range of sports including football, rugby, and snooker amongst others. However, he is happiest whilst reporting on-site at cyclocross races in Belgium and the Netherlands.

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