Early in the race, Van Empel blew the competition apart in the Belgian port city. A rival managed to stay on her wheel briefly, but it didn’t last long. Ultimately, Van Empel had plenty of time to celebrate her fifth cyclocross victory of the season.

“The conditions weren’t easy,” Van Empel admitted after her win. “The wind made it really tough. I had to stay focused throughout the entire race, and I think I managed that well. It was all about giving everything until the finish line. In these conditions, it’s not ideal to ride solo because you’re constantly battling the wind, but I can’t complain. I think I delivered an excellent performance today. Now, the focus shifts to next weekend.”