From the start, Van Empel and Lucinda Brand found themselves slightly behind the explosive efforts of Pieterse and Inge van der Heijden. Brand battled her way to second place, while Van Empel overtook Van der Heijden to claim third.

“I didn’t feel like there was more in it today,” Van Empel admitted afterward. “Yesterday, I already didn’t feel great, and even during the course recon, things didn’t quite click. For me, that’s often a sign that things won’t go smoothly. The others were clearly stronger today. Third place isn’t a disaster, of course. I just hope to recover quickly and get back to performing at my best,” she said.

“My next race is this Sunday in Dendermonde, another tough course,” Van Empel added. She also confirmed that she won’t compete in the Dutch National Championships next weekend. “With such a busy schedule and big goals this season, I have to make choices, and unfortunately, the Nationals don’t fit in.”