Rider Profile
Fem Van Empel
Visma-Lease a Bike Women

Personal Details:
Teams history:
- 2025 - Visma-Lease a Bike Women
- 2023 - Team Jumbo-Visma Women
Biography:
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.
Related Articles

Van der Poel, Van Empel lead powerful Dutch team at home Cyclocross Worlds
By Kirsten Frattini published
News 'Mathieu will go for nothing less than the win' says national team coach

Fem van Empel wins Flandriencross in Hamme
By Peter Stuart published
Results Van Anrooij takes second ahead of Alvarado in third

Fem van Empel's Cervelo R5-CX: 1 race, 1 win, complete with unreleased wheels
By Will Jones published
Pro Bike New year, new team, unknown wheels, but the same winning ways immediately despite a slew of new gear to get used to

Fem Van Empel dominates at the GP Sven Nys
By Stephen Farrand published
Results European champion returns to distance Brand and Carmen Alvarado

Labecki-Vos one-two punch back in play for Jumbo-Visma Women - 2023 Team Preview
By Jackie Tyson published
Preview Dutch riders Van Empel and Markus lead influx of youth for multiple options

Van Empel, Iserbyt crash out of Val di Sole Cyclocross World Cup
By Laura Weislo published
News Iserbyt's World Cup defence takes a serious hit with abandon in Italy but Van Empel keeps her lead

Snow-covered Val di Sole ready for cyclocross World Cup
By Stephen Farrand published
News Van der Poel and Van Empel to star in unique snow race that requires 'legs, lungs, and lots of power'

Van Empel overcomes sickness to take 10th World Cup win of season
By Ben Goddard published
News Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider delivers ‘all or nothing’ last-lap attack to hold off rival
Blogs
-
Nathan Haas blog: Has the UCI done enough for gravel pros at the Gravel World Championships?
Sponsored gravel riders appear to be losing interest in the rainbow jersey battle -
Lauren De Crescenzo and her tough decision to miss UCI Gravel World Championships
In her own words, the gravel star explains the complex picture of the Gravel World Championships for the US team -
A proper women's race – Historic day in Emporia at Unbound Gravel
Extended gaps around women's start end with unprecedented sprint finish though 'it’s still imperfect, but it’s the best we can do for now' -
Road prep and adapting to new rules as Life Time Grand Prix begins at Fuego XL mountain bike event
Lauren De Crescenzo uses The Growler for confidence boost ride ahead of prestigious off-road series -
'Untapped gold' in store for inaugural RADL GRVL in South Australia
Nathan Haas calls gravel course 'raw, fast, exciting' after pre-ride with co-founder Valtteri Bottas