In an upcoming race at La Choralis Fourmies, three-time world champion Fem van Empel expresses feelings of identity loss without racing, but a renewed focus on cyclocross sparks her return to competition.
In the world of cycling, the off-season doesn't mean a break for all athletes. For Dutch cyclocross sensation Fem van Empel, the winter months offer a packed calendar of challenges and constant variety in the popular winter sport.
After announcing a break from racing in March 2023 for mental health reasons, van Empel has found a new sense of self-worth outside of racing results. She has expressed her happiness in finding herself again and is now ready to dive back into her love for cyclocross racing.
The UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup calendar kicks off on November 23 at Tabor and runs through to January 25, providing ample opportunities for van Empel to showcase her skills. However, the team she will be competing for remains undisclosed, as search results do not explicitly specify which team she is signed to for the future.
Van Empel's focus will be on cyclocross, the discipline where she holds the world title. She enjoys the challenges and constant variety that the sport offers, and feels she has more control over how races unfold in cyclocross compared to road racing.
The elite women's World Championships for cyclocross will be held in Hulst on January 31, and van Empel has set her sights on a fourth title in a row. Her return to racing will be on the road at La Choralis Fourmies before she shifts her focus to the winter sport.
Van Empel's decision to let go of road racing was marked by her substantial calendar with Visma-Lease a Bike through 2023 and 2024. Despite this, her contract with the team extends through 2027, indicating a long-term commitment to the sport.
Examples of women who race across disciplines at the highest level include Lucinda Brand, Puck Peterse, and Marianne Vos. However, van Empel has chosen to focus on her strength in cyclocross, aiming to continue her dominance in the sport.
With the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup calendar ending on January 25 and the World Championships just around the corner, van Empel is poised to make a strong comeback. Her fans and competitors alike will be eagerly awaiting her return to the cyclocross circuit.
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