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Van der Poel and Van Empel Dominate Besançon World Cup

In the latest cycling news, Mathieu van der Poel and Fem van Empel have once again showcased their dominance in the cyclocross discipline. At the UCI World Cup race in Besançon, France, Van der Poel reaffirmed his status as a top contender with a convincing victory.

Van der Poel took the initiative from the start, with Toon Aerts as his main challenger. However, Aerts could only keep up for the first fifteen minutes before Van der Poel’s superior power and skill became too much to handle. Van der Poel built a comfortable lead without needing a decisive attack, solidifying his win with flawless lines and technical prowess.

Behind Van der Poel, an exciting battle for the remaining podium places unfolded. Toon Aerts secured second place, while Niels Vandeputte finished third. Eli Iserbyt, despite a poor start and previous physical issues, made an impressive comeback to finish fourth.

In the women's race, Fem van Empel was equally dominant. She rode at her own pace, remaining untouchable for her competitors. Van Empel quickly built a significant lead on the technical French course, which seemed tailor-made for her abilities. Lucinda Brand and Kata Blanka Vas engaged in an intense battle for the remaining podium spots, with Brand securing second place 37 seconds behind Van Empel, and Vas rounding out the podium.

Marianne Vos, making her return to cyclocross, finished fifth after a duel with Zoë Backstedt, who claimed an impressive fourth place. Van Empel reflected on her performance, highlighting the challenging but advantageous course conditions and her near-perfect start.

#cyclocross,#UCIWorldCup,#VanDerPoel,#FemVanEmpel,#Besançon