Fem van Empel to make road season debut at Gent-Wevelgem

Cyclo-cross world champion Fem van Empel is set to make her road season debut on Sunday, lining up for Gent-Wevelgem with her Visma-Lease a Bike team.

Van Empel, who started racing a limited road programme in 2023, will start her 2024 campaign on Saturday after wrapping up her cyclo-cross season at the start of February. She took 19 wins on her CX bike over the winter, only finishing lower than first on two occasions.

"My preparation has been perfect. I had a good training block, and I am excited to see where I am now,” Van Empel said on Visma-Lease a Bike’s website.

“It will be my first time at Gent-Wevelgem, so I am a bit nervous, but most of all, I am looking forward to it."

• Read more: Preview: Gent-Wevelgem Women 2024

The cobbled and gravel sectors of Gent-Wevelgem should suit the 21-year-old well, and it seems Visma-Lease a Bike are also putting faith in Van Empel, taking her as their designated leader in the absence of Marianne Vos.

Though it will be her first road race of the year, and she only has one road win to her name so far – a stage at the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes in 2023 – Van Empel is aiming at a good ride on Sunday.

"I'm hoping I'll be in the right position at the right time", she said. "There are a lot of top riders at the start. I am curious to see where I am in my first race of the year, and I hope to be in the front until deep into the final."

Sports director Jan Boven was equally confident about Van Empel’s chances and role in the big Flandrian test.

"Last year, Fem rode very strongly and showed that she has a lot of talent on the road, so I assume that she will also show herself in Gent-Wevelgem", Boven said. "She will have a free role and maybe go on a discovery tour, but she will also be our leading lady. We are curious how she will do in her first Belgian cobbled classic in a strong field.”

• Read more: Spring Classics 2024: Essential guide to the races and riders

Van Empel won’t be the only cyclo-cross star in action on Sunday, with her long-time rival Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) also lining up for Gent-Wevelgem. Pieterse started earlier than Van Empel, but is only racing a short block of road races – likely coming to an end next week – as she focuses on the mountain bike race at the Paris Olympic Games.

Van Empel has also made mention of a tilt at the MTB in the Olympic Games, subject to qualification, but is expected to race a fuller road programme this year, with Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders and Amstel Gold Race all on her schedule in the coming weeks.