Nacht van Woerden: Fem van Empel takes comeback victory in second race of the season

Dutch Fem Van Empel pictured in action during the women elite race of the Cyclocross Ruddervoorde, Sunday 19 October 2025 in Ruddervoorde, stage 1 (out of 7) of the Superprestige cyclocross cycling competition. BELGA PHOTO LUC CLAESSEN (Photo by LUC CLAESSEN / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP).

Cyclo-cross world champion Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) sprinted to victory in the Nacht van Woerden race on Tuesday evening, beating Aniek van Alphen (Seven Racing) to the line.

The pair had been engaged in a tense battle in Woerden, a standalone race that's run in the evening and low light, after breaking away early with Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon).

A close battle ensued, with Van Empel and Van Alphen going away together on the final lap, and the world champion pulled away from her rival in the sprint to the line. Van der Heijden came home third.

This marks Van Empel's first win of the 2025-26 season after starting her campaign at the weekend, and her first since taking a hiatus from racing on mental health grounds. It also takes her career CX victory tally to 49, with the half-century mark in sight.

"It feels really great to take the win here," she said. "It’s always special to race here, and to finish it off with a victory makes it even better. I really enjoyed being out there, and it was a beautiful battle."

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