The decision by 23-year-old cyclo-cross world champion Fem van Empel to step away from racing for an indefinite period has landed hard across the women’s peloton. What resonates most with her rivals is not the lost victories, but Van Empel’s admission that the joy had drained out of riding — a feeling many at the top recognize.
“Of course the racing goes on,” Ceylin Alvarado said to WielerFlits. “But when the world champion isn’t there, you feel it. And especially for these reasons. I just hope she finds her way back.”
Van Empel’s absence leaves a clear sporting gap. Over recent seasons she collected dozens of wins, including multiple world and European titles, often setting the benchmark for the discipline. But for Puck Pieterse, the loss is about more than results.
“You want to race the very best,” Pieterse said. “Fem showed how high the level can be. We’re the same generation — Fem, Shirin van Anrooij and me — and it’s nicer when you’re all there together. Not just in the race, but before and after, walking the course, cooling down. She’ll be missed.”
Lucinda Brand, who has been killing it in Van Empel’s absence, echoed that sentiment. “You already noticed something was different,” she said. “But riding without enjoyment is much worse than missing races. If you’re only getting in your own way, that’s no place to be.”
Pieterse stressed that the issue is rarely the bike itself. “You start because you love cycling. But at the highest level, so much more is demanded — weighing food, altitude camps, heat training, counting carbs. Those expectations can become the real burden.”
Brand pointed to the mindset that drives athletes to the top. “We get there because we’re extremely self-critical. That pressure comes from everywhere — coaches, teams, the outside world. Not everyone handles it the same, especially when you’re young.”
Above all, the message from the peloton is one of support. “I hope she finds some mental peace,” Brand said. “If this decision brings her calm and lets her do things that make her happy again, then that matters most. Sport can wait.”
Meanwhile, on the Canadian side, national champion Maghalie Rochette has suspended her Euro campaign after the Antwerp round on Saturday. Check the webpages of Canadian Cycling Magazine on Monday for more.