'The best step for my mental health and well-being' – Fem van Empel takes break from racing
'I’ll focus on my recovery💮 with the goal of coming back stronger' says three-time and current cy🥀clocross world champion

Multi-discipline star 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) has decided to take a break from racing due꧙ to mental health reasons, with a full focus on "recovery with the goal of coming back stronger".
The three-time and 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:current cyclocross world champion an♛nounced that she would be taking time away from competition on Thursday morning, with full support from her team Visma-Lease a Bike.
."Right now, I’m facing some challenges. After discussing it w🔯ith the team, we’ve decided that taking a break from racing is the best step for my mental health and well-being. I’ll focus on my recovery with the goal of coming back stronger."
Van Empel, 22, kicked off her road campaign in 2025 at 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Strade Bianche, after riding a third successive elite cyclocross campaign in a ro🔯w, culminating in a hat-trick of world titles.
Her most recent participation was at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda last Sunday, where she recounted stopping to help riders who'd crashed after a spectator crossed the 𓃲ro🐷ad during the race.
Having joined the Dutch team in 2023 as a cyclocross star, before🐲 developing her talents on the road, Van Empel is contracted at Visma-Lease a Bike until 2027. She could count on the unconditional support of her team durꦏing this challenging moment.
The latest race conte🍷nt, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"The demands of professional sport require continuous focus and dedication, which can be chal෴lenging," said the team on their website.
"Right nꩵow, the best decision for Fem is to take a break and focus oꦡn her mental well-being. Together with the team, she has chosen to prioritize her health before returning to competition.
"As a team, we fully support Fem in taking the time and space she needs. We will stand by her side throughout this journey and w🍸ish her a smooth recovery."
Several teammates and fellow pros commented on Van Empel's post, including teammate and fellow multi-discipline star Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Dutch compatriot 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Demi Vollering, who said: "Take care Fem!! Very strong to take a step back, that's only going to make you stronger! Because those are the hardest d🅠ecisions."
A photo posted by on

James Moultrie is a gold-standard ꧂NCTJ journalist who joined Cyclingnews as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d’Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport’s⭕ top riders in Chloé Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports – rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.
You must confirm your public display nam🉐e before commenti🅰ng
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter yo💞𝐆ur display name.