Fem Van Empel

Fem van Empel burst onto the professional cyclocross scene in the 2021-2022 season as the under-23 world champion. She won two World Cups that year and, together with compatriots Puck Pieterse and Shirin van Anrooij, emerged among the next generation of Dutch stars.

Van Empel was unable to defend her cyclocross world title in 2022 in Fayetteville after clipping wheels with Van Anrooij on the final lap, allowing Pieterse to run away to take the rainbow jersey.

After upgrading to the elites in the 2022-2023 season, Van Empel became the dominant rider, winning the European championships, seven World Cups and the overall series and taking her first elite world championship title, as well as the overall in the X2O Trophy.
Van Empel signed with Jumbo-Visma for 2023, winning a stage of the women's Tour de l'Avenir on the road and going on to defend as European cyclocross champion. After a strong start to her 'cross campaign with wins in three World Cups, Van Empel suffered a minor injury and illness before the important Kerstperiode, and her 16-race winning streak came to an end in Gavere where she was second to Pieterse.