With an ultimate sprint, Fem van Empel kept Ceylin Alvarado from the European title in Pontevedra. In a closed race, the decision was only made after a thrilling final phase. Alicia Franck (6th) and Laura Verdonschot (7th) were the 2 Belgians in the top 10.
On the atypical, relatively friendly course in Pontevedra, we saw a major tactical jousting among the women in the first half of the cross.
Time and again it was Fem van Empel and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado who shook the tree. Just as often, groups of women came back to join the better running part of the circuit.
For a moment there was even a peloton of about fifteen that headed the race. Alicia Franck and Laura Verdonschot also took full advantage by fighting at the front until the penultimate.
Then the Dutch women thought it was enough. After some mistakes along the way, Lucinda Brand also joined her compatriots.
Alvarado really found her thing in the technical zone. There she put full pressure on Van Empel in the final round. First the world champion had to get past Brand and then close the gap to Alvarado.
In the last corner the duo was together again. Alvarado immediately launched the sprint, but Van Empel knew what to do with it. She remounted her competitor and so the third European title in a row was a fact.
Brand came third on the all-Dutch podium. Franck finished sixth, Verdonschot one spot lower in seventh.
“This was perhaps the best fight of the season so far,” Fem van Empel was still panting during the flash interview. “I am very happy, because it was a really difficult cross.”
“I kept fighting and this victory means a lot to me. There is a sweater attached to this and I like that.”
Van Empel is back on track, but is now taking a short break. “I take time for a little rest and training. I think I’ll return in 2 weeks. Then the World Cup will almost start again and then I will see how things are going every month.”
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