Van Empel wins the CX World Championship with great superiority

Van Empel is already World Champion after signing a great performance in which she won with great authority to the other great favorite of the race, her compatriot Pieterse, who was second at 39" behind. Brand was third and the podium was completely colored in Dutch orange.

Van Empel wins World Championship after beating Pieterse with authority

28 riders from 14 countries took the start in Hoogerheide. After the first few meters without incident, Van Empel took first place, followed by Persico, Worst, Brand, Van der Heijden, Alvarado and Pieterse.

Van Empel broke the calm that had dominated the start of the race and opened up a gap. The chasers were able to stop the bleeding soon after. Pieterse, the only one who didn't get off to get over the planks, moved into second and closed the gap to Vam Empel to cross the first finish line with her.

Persico and Brand reached the lead, which was formed by these four riders. As she did in the previous lap, Van Empel pushed again and took some advantage of the rest of the group, which stretched slightly.

Brand was the first to break away, while Persico held on a little longer, but eventually gave up and Van Empel and Pieterse arrived with an 8-second lead at the finish line.

Pieterse led in the first part of the third lap. The riding picked up in intensity and the mud they had to deal with demanded an extra dose of control. Despite that, Brand closed in on the lead in a great show of strength, although without connecting with the leaders.

The fourth lap started with Van Empel and Pieterse in the lead, Brand 5 seconds behind and Persico and Alvarado 19 seconds behind. Brand was back on the charge and was starting to get on the wheel of the first two when Pieterse went to the ground, losing second place and leaving Van Empel with a few meters ahead.

Although she didn't lose much time in the crash, Van Empel was able to set a fast pace from that point on, and she distanced herself from Pieterse, who soon after got rid of Brand, trying to rejoin the fight for the victory.

New pass through the finish line. Van Empel in the lead and Pieterse 18 seconds behind. Far from reducing, the gap continued to increase, so Van Empel faced the final part of the race with all the numbers to win.

Van Empel continued to ride with the authority of one who dominates a World Cup with a 28-second lead. Pieterse rode alone and Brand was third. 

Last lap. The distance between the two favorites stood at 33 seconds, so unless there were any surprises, the balance was already heavily inclined towards Van Empel's side. 

In the end, Van Empel raised her arms in front of her compatriots in Hoogerheide to be crowned World Champion. The young rider thus achieved her first rainbow in the Elite category. A great performance that left a race less close than expected.

Pieterse, who all the forecasts gave as the other great favorite, arrived at the finish line 39 seconds behind in a race that was disputed as expected until the crash. The Dutchwoman could not answer Van Empel's pace and had to settle for second place.

Third was Brand after completing a great race. Behind, Persico crossed the finish line in fourth with Alvarado in fifth.