Van Empel celebrates 50th CX win with DIY road sign
A rejuvenated Fem van Empel took her 50th career cyclocross win at Saturday's Exact Cross Heerderstrand, her second win in three appearances since starting her campaign with sixth at Superprestige Ruddervoorde last weekend. The world champion came prepared for this landmark achievement, with not one, but two pre-prepared road signs to highlight her 50th win.
"Reaching my 50th victory was definitely one of my goals for this winter, so it’s fantastic that it’s already happened today,” Van Empel said, refreshed and rejuvenated after her lengthy break from competition. “I had secretly thought about a possible celebration beforehand, and a sign with ‘50’ on it seemed quite fitting. I really enjoyed this one."
In the men's race, a resurgent Joris Nieuwenhuis got the better of early leader Pim Ronhaar and Belgian teenager Jordi Corsus, for his first win of the season. Nieuwenhuis's '24/25 season was significantly curtailed by illness, which kept him from the field until mid-January. With fourth, second and now first so far this campaign, things are looking up for the Ridley rider.
Heerderstrand elite women's top 5
- Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) 40:49
- Aniek van Alphen (Seven Racing) +0:08
- Leonie Bentveld (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez) +0:16
- Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon) +0:40
- Hélène Clauzel (UVCA Troyes) +0:41
Heerderstrand elite men's top 5
- Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ridley Racing Team) 57:14
- Pim Ronhaar (Baloise Glowi Lions) +0:09
- Yordi Corsus (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez) +0:16
- Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon) +0:32
- Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +0:33
