Van Empel triumphs in Besançon

From start to finish, Van Empel rode at her own pace, remaining untouchable for her competitors. With her technical finesse and impressive endurance, she quickly built a significant lead. The technical French course seemed tailor-made for Van Empel's abilities.

Behind her, an intense battle for the remaining podium spots unfolded. Lucinda Brand and Kata Blanka Vas engaged in an exciting race but couldn’t close the gap to the leader. Brand eventually secured second place, 37 seconds behind Van Empel, while Vas rounded out the podium.

Marianne Vos, making her return to cyclo-cross, once again showcased her remarkable skills. In a duel with Zoë Backstedt, she ultimately finished fifth, with Backstedt claiming an impressive fourth place.