X2O Trofee Herentals: Van Empel comes out on top in duel with Brand
Worst rounds out podium 42 seconds behind tense battle for the win
A battle of two women wearing rainbow stripes concluded with world champion Fem Van Empel (Jumbo-Visma) prevailing over former world champion Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) at the third round of the X2O Trofee in Herentals.
The pair fought one another at the head of the race during the final two laps of five through the Belgian mud, with Brand making a comeback from the chasing group to catch the 21-year-old.
Van Empel, who wore a bandage on her knee following a training crash, and Brand stuck together until midway through the final lap, only putting more and more time into those dropped behind, including Annemarie Worst (Cyclocross Reds) and Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal).
Van Empel stole a march on her fellow Dutchwoman during the major mid-lap climb, pushing on by a few seconds. But Brand got back on well in time for the start-finish straight to set up a sprint finish.
A late wobble on an off-camber downhill corner set Brand back a few metres once more, forcing her to expend more energy to get back on Van Empel's wheel.
The pair raced towards the line together with Van Empel leading out, but Brand couldn't quite come alongside her rival for the win. The world champion raised her arms in triumph for the 10th time in 10 races this season, a fraction ahead of Brand.
"I never had such a good grade at school." Van Empel joked after the race in reference to her perfect record, according to WielerFlits. "It was a very tough race, with quite a lot of intervals. Lucinda Brand was super strong today."
"For me, it was a bit of a shock to the system after last week," she added, referring to her crash and a recent cold. "But that does not detract from Brand's performance, because you see again: he never lets up."
"I've been in bed all week. Then you see how quickly your body has trouble digesting that stimulus. But at least I'm happy that I'm reasonably healthy again. From now on things can only get a little better physically."
Van Empel now extends her lead at the head of the X2O Trofee rankings. She now holds a substantial lead over Betsema in second.
"It's a few extra seconds, that's nice," she said. "There are still a number of crosses in the new year, so I'm curious. In any case, I'm going for it."
Worst rounded out the podium at 42 seconds back, the Dutchwoman having earlier been part of the chase group along with Brand. Another chaser, Betsema, took fourth place at 1:11, while Briton Anna Kay (Cyclocross Reds) was fifth at 1:49.
Brand had earlier stuck to Van Empel's wheel during an acceleration on the first lap of the race, while Worst and Betsema were joined by Manon Bakker (Crelan-Corendon) in the chase.
On the second lap, the groups came together at the head of the race following an attempted break by Brand. However, Van Empel was soon out front on her own once more, going clear on the mid-lap climb.
Brand, Worst, and Betsema lay eight seconds down at the end of the lap, and it looked as though the world champion would be away solo for the finish line. Brand had other ideas, though, pushing on alone in the chase and closing to within two seconds of Van Empel the next time through the finish.
She'd make it back on lap four, setting up the big finale that would eventually result in yet another Van Empel victory – albeit a narrow one.
Results
Results powered by FirstCycling
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Daniel Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Prior to joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly, Rouleur, and CyclingTips.
Daniel has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France and the spring Classics, and has interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Demi Vollering, and Anna van der Breggen.
As well as original reporting, news and feature writing, and production work, Daniel also oversees The Leadout newsletter and How to Watch guides throughout the season. Their favourite races are Strade Bianche and the Volta a Portugal.
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Mathieu van der Poel extends streak with X2O Trofee Baal victory
Van Aert loses contact on opening lap, Van der Haar surges to third -
Fem van Empel outlasts Lucinda Brand to win X20 Trofee Baal
World champion starts 2024 on a winning note as Ava Holmgren claims podium spot -
Primoz Roglic shows off Bora-Hansgrohe kit for the first time
A gallery of new signings in new jerseys as 2024 gets underway -
'Not my own choice' - Guillaume Van Keirsbulck announces retirement
Belgian calls time on career after being left without team for 2024