UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships: Van Empel on top of full podium sweep for the Netherlands

On the second day of the 2023 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands, the two Canadian twin sisters, Isabella and Ava Holmgren, rocked the Women Junior race before Belgian Thibau Nys conquered the Men Under 23 title (25 years after his father Sven won the title). In the final race of the day, Dutch Fem van Empel made history as she became the second youngest rider to claim the Women Elite title, following her compatriot Marianne Vos in 2006.

Women Junior: Canada’s super twin sisters

Dutch Lauren Molengraaf started as a strong favourite, having dominated the 2022-2023 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup and won gold in the European Championships. The young super talent suffered a mechanical problem already in lap 1, came back quickly but then lost positions during lap 2. Finally, a puncture meant she was out of the battle for the podium.

The Canadian twin sisters Ava and Isabella Holmgren followed up on their great performances from the last round of the 2022-2023 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup. This time, Isabella powered to victory, 20 seconds ahead of Ava. This was the first cyclo-cross medal for Canada since the inception of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in 1950.

“I don’t think I’ve fully processed it yet”, Isabella Holmgren said. “I’m really excited and Ava finishing second makes it even better.”

“I came here to get Canada’s first ever medal and what happened was something even better - my sister won!”, Ava Holmgren rejoiced. “And I just celebrated for her, for our country and for our family. Today was awesome!”

After an intense finish, France’s Célia Gery outsprinted Italy’s Federica Venturelli to take the bronze medal (+47’’). Molengraaf had to settle for 7th (+1’12’’).

Men Under 23: unstoppable Nys

Belgian Thibau Nys pushed the pace early, leaving no doubts about his ambition to make it a hard race that would favour his skills. Thibau Nys was in a solo lead already from lap 3 and secured an easy victory, becoming the 10th Belgian to win the Men Under 23 category at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships (with his father Sven Nys claiming the title in 1997 and 1998).

“I wanted this so bad”, Thibau Nys said after a tearful celebration. “I worked so hard for this, it was my biggest goal of the season. The pressure was huge, also from myself. It’s a race where you can’t make any mistakes. To pull it off like this is amazing. I could only dream of this.”

Dutch Tibor del Grosso, winner of the last round of the 2022-2023 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, tried to put up a fight but he was quickly outnumbered by the Belgians. Del Grosso had to battle with Joran Wyseure and Witse Meeussen to try and prevent the Belgians from repeating the 2022 full podium sweep. He managed to sprint for the silver medal with Meeussen taking bronze and Wyseure finishing 4th.

Women Elite: Van Empel crowned UCI World Champion

One of the most anticipated battles of the season came at the end of the day with the Women Elite race and the fight for the rainbow jersey among the stars having dominated the 2022-2023 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup.

Dutch Fem van Empel and her compatriot Puck Pieterse set off strongly and left their rivals behind already on lap 2. Italy’s Silvia Persico was chasing with Dutch Lucinda Brand (2021 UCI Cyclo-cross World Champion) close behind. Brand managed to distance Persico on lap 3.

Halfway through the race, Pieterse slipped in a turn, which allowed Van Empel to take a solo lead while Brand continued her chase. Van Empel powered through to claim the rainbow jersey and became the first woman to win the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in different categories as well as being the second youngest to conquer the Women Elite title after Marianne Vos in 2006.

“It’s very special for me”, Van Empel said. “Puck had a crash and at that moment I went full gas. It’s difficult to find the right words, I’m emotional.”

Pieterse took the silver medal (+39’’) and Brand the bronze (+1’11’’) which meant a full podium sweep for the Netherlands.

Four UCI Cyclo-cross World Champion titles have been awarded so far. Three more rainbow jerseys are still up for grabs on the final day of action, as the Junior Men, Women Under 23 and Men Elite will battle it out in Hoogerheide for the gold medals on the Sunday.