X²O Trophy Herentals (women)
13:45 Herentals
Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) won the X²O trophy cross in Herentals this afternoon. The world champion was the only one of the favorites to remain clear and arrived solo. Brand and Alvarado complete the podium. Sanne Cant finished fifth in front of her own audience.
Van Empel again the best in Herentals
We had to wait another day for Puck Pieterse, but the other top favorites were all present in Herentals this afternoon.
World champion Fem van Empel was the best last year and again started off authoritarian.
The balance of power quickly became clear: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado got into the wheel. Lucinda Brand and Annemarie Worst did not follow much further.
There was no driving very fast at the beginning of the race, and so the four Dutchmen often merged.
Only on the ski mountain there was always a lot of fun. Van Empel put her rivals under pressure several times, but Brand also showed himself with some impressive descents.
A first decisive moment followed just past the halfway point of the race. Alvarado dived into the transition zone, but misjudged and jumped in front of her saddle. A painful smack and an increasingly smaller Van Empel were the result.
The fact that Brand subsequently choked on top of the ski mountain was enough for van Empel to finally go it alone. The world champion flew on alone and was not caught up again.
In the background, Worst bravely struggled in second place for a long time. But with the finish in sight, she still saw how Alvarado and Brand – who had found each other in the chase – flew up and over her again.
Ultimately it was Brand, who remains authoritatively in the lead in the time classification, who won the sprint for silver. Alvarado made it ahead of Worst and finished third.
Sanne Cant rode her best race of the season in front of her own audience and crossed the finish line in fifth place.
Result X²O Trophy Herentals
| name | result | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fem Van Empel | in 43’42” |
| 2 |  Lucinda Brand | op 19″ |
| 3 | Ceylin Alvarado | 20″ |
| 4 | Annemarie Worst | 25″ |
| 5 | Sanne Cant | 2’15” |
| 6 |  Marion Norbert Riberolle | 2’24” |
| 7 | Laura Verdonschot | 2’27” |
| 8 | Manon Baker | 2’56” |
| 9 | 3’17” | |
| 10 | Denise Betsema | 3’34” |
Van Empel: “It was important to put everyone under pressure throughout the match”
After a training camp with the Visma – Lease a Bike road team, Fem van Empel did what she often does: win.
“A cross bike feels different from a road bike, but it went quite well. I can’t complain,” the Dutchwoman responded.
“It was important to put pressure on everyone here throughout the match, because behind me they had an aim.”
“And if you are the first to tackle the descent, you can also choose your own line. Because it was slippery and slippery and a small mistake can easily be made.”
Brand: “Without the mistake I would have been in contention for the win”
Lucinda Brand competed with Fem van Empel, but after a mistake she had to let the world champion go.
“Otherwise I would have been in it for the win and it would have been a battle until the last lap,” says the Dutch champion, “but I lost traction and couldn’t get out of my click pedal.”
In the Soudal Ladies Trophy standings, Brand remains in the lead with a large bonus over Annemarie Worst (+4’40”) and Ceylin Alvarado (+5’25”).
Alvarado: “Something went wrong in the material station”
Ceylin Alvarado just couldn’t win the sprint for second place. “I think there was more to it, but halfway through something went wrong in the materials department,” she says. “But hey, I can also be satisfied with third place.”
Related:
Fire for Alvarado
All in all, Brand easily beats Alvarado in a sprint. Worst still thunders off the podium and is fourth.
Van Empel records clinical victory
Van Empel remains clear the entire ride and deservedly takes the victory. It is already the sixth victory of her season. This puts her on the same level as Alvarado.
Reality catches up with Worst. With the finish line in sight, she must unload the role. Alvarado and Brand can compete for places two and three.
Battle for second place
Both Brand and Alvarado have joined Worst. The battle for the podium will be more exciting than the battle for victory.
Brand also hopes for a silver medal. She puts Alvarado a few lengths away and creeps closer to Worst.
Worst remains close, but I think Van Empel will make one last move on the ski mountain.
Paul Herygers
Last round
The situation for the last round:
Van Empel has a lead of 9 seconds over Worst.
Alvarado and Brand follow in tandem at 22 seconds.
Fire down, Van Empel rushes away
Van Empel strikes again and leaves Brand uphill. Moreover, it drives with a gear too low, which also causes it to capsize.
Worst benefits once again and flies to second place.
Alvarado also benefits and joins Brand.
Brand makes a mistake and has to chase
Van Empel and Brand are lounging around and see Worst approaching again.
Ruben Van Gucht
27 seconds. It will be very difficult for Alvarado to keep up with the leading duo. Worst, who had signed for a podium spot in advance, follows third at 12 seconds.
Alvarado goes wrong
Ai Ai, Alvarado! When changing bicycles, she jumps next to her saddle. In the bargain, her necklace also pops off.
She stands up again, cursing, but in the meantime Brand and Van Empel have come a long way. Worst has also passed the Dutch one.
Alvarado falls into the equipment station when changing bikes
Van Empel doesn’t like to see it happen and goes up and over Alvarado. The world champion shoots authoritatively towards Brand’s wheel.
Brand is the first to start climbing the ski mountain and then throws himself down body and soul. Even Alvarado has to leave a gap.
Behind the four favorites, Cant crosses the line alone half a minute later. The Belgian champion is doing well in front of her own audience for the time being.
Fem looks good. She will have to make a difference on the ski mountain.
Jan Boven (Visma team leader)
Van Empel senses the tactics of her rivals and responds with a shot from the head. Alvarado has to grit his teeth. Brand and Worst must leave an opening immediately.
X²O Trophy
