The day after the opener of the X2O Badkamers Trophy on the Koppenberg, the riders get a second chance. In Lokeren, the Rapencross awaits—a relatively young race—but don’t look for Fem van Empel among the elite women. The world champion will not participate in the Rapencross.
It’s hardly a surprise, as Van Empel had to abandon very early in the Koppenbergcross yesterday. The Dutch rider decided to pull out after just half a lap at the bike pit. At the moment of her withdrawal, Van Empel was visibly emotional, having started well earlier on.
After the race, Visma | Lease a Bike told Sporza that Van Empel had not sufficiently recovered from an illness that flared up earlier this week and already forced her to skip the Druivencross in Overijse. Van Empel quickly felt on the slopes of the Koppenberg that she had no power left in her legs.
Van Empel was also set to start the second round of the X2O Badkamers Trophy in Lokeren on Sunday, but her team Visma | Lease a Bike has bad news. "Fem van Empel will not start today in the Rapencross in Lokeren. She is still recovering from her illness and will take the necessary time before returning to racing," the team wrote on X.
Fem van Empel will not start in today’s Rapencross in Lokeren. She’s still recovering and will take the time needed before returning to racing. pic.twitter.com/32guEC1BWN
— Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women (@visma_lab_women) November 2, 2025
What about the European Championships?
For Van Empel, this is a significant setback, especially with the upcoming European Cyclocross Championships (November 8-9) in Middelkerke in mind. Whether the European title defense is at risk for the 23-year-old rider is not yet known. Van Empel has won the last three editions of the European Championships in Namur ('22), Pontchâteau ('23), and Pontevedra ('24), respectively.
