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Fem van Empel’s return at the European Championships

Fem van Empel finished 13th at the European Cyclocross Championships in Zeddam after a poor start, her first major international championship since returning to competition. She did not speak to the press afterwards. Her team leader said the result fell short of expectations, but that she needs time after a year away from racing and is healthy and enjoying cycling again.

Van Empel had stopped cycling late last year after losing enjoyment in the sport and experiencing mental-health problems, and returned in September with FDJ-Suez. Her team leader said she is working on a documentary about her life and her return to top-level competition.

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Lucinda Brand awarded European cyclo-cross title in Zeddam

10 sources

Lucinda Brand was awarded the women's European cyclo-cross title in Zeddam after Marie Schreiber of Luxembourg, who had crossed the line first, was relegated to second for deviating from her line in the final sprint. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado finished third after crashing in the final lap. It was Brand's second European title.

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Demi Vollering and Mathieu van der Poel named Dutch cyclists of the year

5 sources

Demi Vollering and Mathieu van der Poel were named the best Dutch cyclists of 2026 at the cycling gala in Utrecht. Vollering received the Keetie van Oosten-Hage Trophy, while Van der Poel won the Gerrit Schulte Trophy but was not present to receive it. The reports cited Vollering's Tour de France Femmes and world championship victories among her achievements. Van der Poel's cited results included two Tour de France stage wins and a world title. One report also said the women’s team that supported Vollering at the world and European championships was chosen as cycling team of the year.

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European Cyclo-cross Championships in Zeddam

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The European Cyclo-cross Championships are being held in Zeddam this weekend, with races for women on Saturday and men on Sunday. The course in the Montferland woods includes a newly built, 99-step staircase, which riders and Dutch national coach Gerben de Knegt expect to be a demanding feature. Joris Nieuwenhuis, from nearby Zelhem, described the race as his first true home event and is expected to have substantial local support, though reports identified Thibau Nys and other Belgian riders as leading contenders for the men's title. In the women's race, Lucinda Brand is described as the sole clear favourite, with defending champion Inge van der Heijden, Aniek van Alphen, Denise Betsema and possibly Fem van Empel also competing for leading positions.