Fighting Van Empel second in World Cup Dublin
Fem van Empel finished second in the second World Cup race in Dublin. After a flat tyre and a technical error in the opening phase, the classification leader had to chase. Lucinda Brand took the win in the Irish capital.
Van Empel had a difficult opening phase in the second World Cup race. The 22-year-old world champion started alertly, but at the end of the opening lap she suffered a puncture. She quickly managed to rejoin race leader Brand, but the latter took full advantage of a technical mistake by Van Empel in the sand moments later. Van Empel eventually finished half a minute behind her compatriot.
“It certainly wasn't my luckiest race, but Lucinda was also simply the strongest today”, Van Empel reflected. “In the sand passage on the third lap, I rode a little too close behind her, after which I had to run. After the gap was created, I was unfortunately unable to get any closer.”
Van Empel will now start a new training camp in preparation for the important Christmas period. She will return to racing in Herentals, mid-December.
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