From cyclocross to Spring Classics - Fem van Empel debuts at Gent-Wevelgem
'I am c🥂urious to see where I am in my first race of the year' says Visma-Lease a Bike contender
168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Fem van Empel will make her long-awaited 2024 road season debut at 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday as a main contender with Vꦡisma-Lease a Bike.
Van Empel has recovered from a hugely successful cyclocross campaign, during which she won a second consecutive world title, and is now turning her attention to the 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Spring Classics.
"My preparation has been perfect. I had a good training block, and I am excited to see where I am now. It will be my first time at Gent-Wevelgem, so I am a bit nervous, but most of all, I am looking forward to it," Van Empel said in a ༒team press release on Thursday.
"I'm hoping I'll be in the right position at the right time. There are a lot of top riders at the start. I am curious to see where I am in my firs🥂t race of the year, and I hope to be in the front until deep into the final."
Van Empel, 21, made her road racing debut with then Jumb🦋o-Visma last Ap𝓰ril, and while she missed the majority of the Spring Classics, she did compete at Giro d'Italia, Tour de l'Avenir, Tour de Romandie and the European Championships.
This year, she has been working with the 🎐team's sports director, Jan Boven, during cyclocross and on the r♎oad, a collaboration that she said is going well.
"Jan and I have an excellent relationship. The cooperation in cyclocross is going really well. I look forward to working with Jan on the road and learning even more from his expertise,♌" she said.
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Van Empel joins a strong team at Gent-Wevelgem that also includes Linda Riedmann, Sophi🥃e von Berswordt-Wallrabe, Margaux Vigie, Lieke Nooijen, and C🧸arlijn Achtereekte.
"Last year, Fem rode very strongly and showed that she has a lot of talent on the road, so I assume that she w🐼ill also show herself in Gent-Wevelgem," Boven said.
"She will have a free role and maybe go on a discovery tour, but sh🌺e will also be our leading lady. We are curious how she will do in her first Belgian cobbled classic in a strong field."
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Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.
Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science🌄. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.
She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a Norཧth American Corr🙈espondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.