Under the sunny skies of Spain’s Costa Blanca, Fem van Empel imposed her will and returned to her winning ways in World Cup #13 in Benidorm, Spain on Sunday. Rounding out the podium were Puck Pieterse in 2nd, and Shirin van Anrooij in 3rd. With her victory, Van Empel also won the overall World Cup series with 395 points, while Puck Pieterse secured the runner-up spot (350 points), and Shirin van Anrooij took 3rd (264 points).
A very fast course, reminiscent of World Cup #2 in Fayetteville, greeted the riders for the penultimate event of the UCI World Cup Cyclo-Cross series. Lap times on the course were lightening fast for all categories, with long stretches of pavement and grass interrupted by tight 180 degree turns. It’s no surprise that Puck Pieterse characterized the course afterwards as being “a bit like a street race.”
How It Happened
Fem van Empel took the lead right from the start in this 7 lap race, followed by Puck Pieterse and Shirin van Anrooij. Stringing out the field immediately, these leaders turned in a sub 7:30 time by the end of the first lap. Before they were even halfway into the 2nd lap, the trio had established a gap on the main field. The only rider who was able to bridge up to them was the Italian, Silvia Persico, who has had a successful season in Italy and was able to hang onto 4th place in the end.
By lap 3, Van Empel and Pieterse were back in the lead with Van Empel forcing the pace on the long stretches of pavement and grass, while Van Anrooij and Persico yo-yoed behind, fighting to stay in contact with the two leaders. By lap 4, the four were back together, but only due to the easing up Van Empel and Pieterse who had already begun to cat-and-mouse one another.
As lap 5 began, Pieterse and Van Empel upped the pace and Van Anrooij and Persico once again found themselves struggling to hang on. Lap 6 and 7 continued in the same fashion, with Van Empel and Pieterse attacking the long staightaways, but then easing up in the 180 degree corners, allowing Van Anrooij and Persico to catch up.
As lap 7 progressed, Van Anrooij made an attempt to disrupt the pace setting of the two leaders and take the lead, but she was denied by Van Empel who upped the pace and immediately created a gap that only Pieterse could close.
As the final turns approached, Van Empel and Pieterse fought for the front position, both knowing that final stretch of pavement to the finish was far too short for any kind maneuvering. The rider who made it into the final corner first, would be the rider out first, and likely the winner.
In the end, Pieterse just didn’t have the extra watts needs to challenge Van Empel who kept the pace high and led through the last corner to easily take the victory over Pieterse. A tired, but satisfied Van Anrooij finished 3rd @13 seconds. Silvia Persico performed well, crossing the line in 4th @ 21 seconds.
