Shirin van Anrooij fends off Fem van Empel to take solo X2O Trofee Koksijde win

Dutch Shirin van Anrooij celebrates on the podium after winning the women elite race at the UCI Cyclocross World Cup cyclocross event in Beekse Bergen The Netherlands Sunday 13 November 2022 the fifth out of 14 stages in the World Cup trophy in the 20222023 season BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS Photo by DAVID PINTENS BELGA MAG Belga via AFP Photo by DAVID PINTENSBELGA MAGAFP via Getty Images
Shirin van Anrooij (Baloise Trek Lions) (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

In her first race of 2023, Shirin van Anrooij (Baloise Trek Lions) returned to the top step of the podium, storming to a solo victory in the fifth round of the X2O Trofee in Koksijde.

Van Anrooij fought off a race-long chase from another Dutch 20-year-old, Jumbo-Visma's Fem van Empel. The European champion was targeting her 12th win of the season but was forced to settle for second place, 14 seconds down after never quite getting in touch with her rival.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.

Latest on Cyclingnews