Cyclo-cross International Championships: 3-in-a-row for Fem Van Empel after hard-fought victory in opposition to Lucinda Emblem in elite ladies’s race

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Lucinda Emblem and Fem Van Empel at the ultimate lap of the elite ladies’s race on the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)The Dutch ladies’s staff dominate the hole lap of the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)Lucinda Emblem pictured in motion throughout the ladies elite race2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)A basic view of the peloton competing throughout the elite ladies’s race on the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)Fem Van Empel and Lucinda Emblem throughout the elite ladies’s race on the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)Inge Van der Heijden on the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)Marion Norbert Riberolle within the elite ladies’s race on the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)Helene Clauzel of France within the elite ladies’s race on the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)Blanka Vas of Hungary within the elite ladies’s race on the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)Blanka Vas of Hungary within the elite ladies’s race on the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)Lucinda Emblem of Netherlands within the elite ladies’s race on the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)Fem Van Empel within the elite ladies’s race on the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)Dutch rider Lucinda Emblem within the elite ladies’s race on the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)Puck Pieterse within the elite ladies’s race on the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross International Championships in Lievin, France(Symbol credit score: Getty Photographs)

Fem van Empel made it a hat-trick of elite Cyclo-cross International Championship titles after getting back from a overdue assault through Lucinda Emblem to take victory in Liévin, France, on Saturday. Puck Ieterse rounded out the rostrum in 3rd position, for an all-Dutch podium.

The much-awaited fight between the Dutch competitors transpired into an intriguing contest, which was once determined within the ultimate moments of the elite ladies’s six-lap race.

Emblem powered away whilst Van Empel was once taking a motorbike alternate at the penultimate lap, which put Van Empel below serious drive forward of the remaining lap of the race.

On the other hand, 22-year-old Van Empel used her operating pace and power at the steep climbs to claw again at the ultimate lap.

The competitors went side-by-side and traded blows within the remaining levels as they charged throughout the closing technical sections.

On the other hand, a mistake through Emblem getting into the general tarmac end gave Van Empel the benefit she required to take a slim victory.

“I didn’t realise that I had won the race because I really had to go deep for it,” Van Empel stated. “It was a tough battle, and mentally it was hard because of last weekend.. This is quite emotional.”

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