Last cyclocross season, Van Empel proved her superiority in the field with 19 victories. The current European and world cyclocross champion looks back on this period with pride. “I felt strong throughout the entire cyclocross season and achieved my key objectives. Of course, I am satisfied that I was able to win so many times; it really boosted my confidence.”

For the Dutch rider, cyclocross is an important part of her development as a road cyclist. “It's the perfect combination for me, but it's hard to be in peak form throughout the entire spring. Together with my coaches, I set a few goals to focus on, aiming to perform as well as possible during those moments.”

Young talent and established names: Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women ready for 2025

“In the road races, I would like to play a more prominent role in the final”, Van Empel mentioned as a key area for improvement. “If you want to win races or help the team, it's crucial to be present in the finals. By training more, learning from my teammates, and gaining more experience in races, I hope to make progress in this area this year.”

The rider of Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women already participated in five spring classics last year and is focusing on this period again this season. “My race program isn’t fully finalized yet, but I will be lining up for Strade Bianche, Milan-Sanremo Donne, Dwars door Vlaanderen, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and Brabantse Pijl. In these classics, I hope to play an important role within the team. In addition, I also hope to make my appearance again in the Tour de France Femmes.”

Realistic Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women aims to learn and grow in 2025 Tour de France Femmes