Fem van Empel prevails in killer finish at Fayetteville World Cup

Current World Cup leader Fem van Empel and last year’s World Cup winner Lucinda Brand did battle for the second consecutive Sunday in Fayettville, Arkansas, this time joined by Annemarie Worst. In a thrilling sprint finish, van Empel won her second consecutive round. Sidney McGill was the top Canadian at 13th with Ava Holgren right behind her in 14th.

You can watch the 2022-2023 UCI Cyclocross World Cup at FloBikes.

The Canadian contingent was Christiane Bilodeau, Jenaya Francis, Ava and Isabella Holmgren, Siobhan Kelly, McGill and Katelyn Walcroft.

Tomorrow athletes take on CX World Cup number ✌️ in Fayetteville ?? Will Ava & Isabella Holmgren step on the U23 podium once again?

2️⃣e Coupe du Monde de cyclocross aux ?? demain! Est-ce que les soeurs Holmgren pourront remonter sur le podium U23?

? Bill Schieken pic.twitter.com/1FXFXp3DXh

— Cycling Canada (@CyclingCanada) October 15, 2022

Helene Clauzel seized the hole shot after the start, with Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado in Position 2 on Lap 1. Denise Betsema took over the front before the big climb. Clauzel continued as the only non-Dutch rider in the leading group, which soon began to break up. Betsema and compatriot Inge van der Heijden completed the first 3 km lap in 7:10, seven seconds ahead of van Empel, Brand, Clauzel and Annemarie Worst. Isabella Holmgren was 12th, followed by McGill and Ava Holmgren.

Worst, van Empel, Clauzel and Brand joined Betsema and van der Heijden on Lap 2 of seven. Betsema kept pushing but at the end of the lap the leading group slowed, allowing Alvarado to come back to them on Lap 3. Alvarado had to pit for the second time. Brand took over the front and started to break up the group. McGill was 14th.

Alvarado had to catch up once more on Lap 4. Brand tried to take her leave of the others on the technical part of the course. Van Empel hustled to grab Brand’s wheel. Betsema chased solo and the three crossed the line seven seconds ahead of van der Heijden and Worst. McGill was 14th and Ava Holmgren 15th.

Betsema saw the race go away from her after she had a chain issue on Lap 5. Ava Holmgren moved up to 13th during the lap, while McGill held 14th.

Brand and van Empel led van der Heijden, Worst and Betsema going into the penultimate lap. Van Empel surged clear but Brand fought back over a kilometre. McGill and Holmgren traded positions.

Five Dutch riders heard the bell together: Brand, van Empel, Worst, Betsema and van der Heijden. Holmgren and McGill continue to swap places. Van Empel attacked again and only van der Heijden couldn’t hang. At the top of the big climb van Empel went again. Worst was in Position 3 and after lagging a bit she returned. Brand led around the final corner but van Empel came around the left side for the victory. McGill and Holmgren duked it out right to the end.

The next round is next Sunday in Tabor, Czech Republic.

2022-2023 UCI World Cup Round 2 Fayetteville
1) Fem van Empel (The Netherlands/Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) 50:05
2) Lucinda Brand (The Netherlands/Baloise Trek Lions) +0:01
3) Annemarie Worst (The Netherlands/777) +0:02
13) Sidney McGill (Canada) +3:12
14) Ava Holmgren (Canada) +3:13
18) Isabella Holmgren (Canada) +4:11
26) Jenaya Francis (Canada) +5:44
28) Christiane Bilodeau (Canada)
30) Siobhan Kelly (Canada)
31) Katelyn Walcroft (Canada)