The Dutch rider put on a riding clinic on Val di Sole’s snow, holding the comeback of Vos, who crashed into the last corner: her first World Cup victory has an all-special taste in Vermiglio. Third place for Canada’s Rochette, fourth Italian Eva Lechner
A cold but sunny day (temperatures well below freezing) welcomed the girls of the Women category, who opened the competition program of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup stage in Val di Sole. The first-ever snow race in cyclocross was spectacular as advertised, finding a partially unexpected protagonist in 19-year-old Fem Van Empel, who put on a riding clinic early in the race, surfing in the snow where even top names like Marianne Vos and Denise Betsema were struggling, and eventually secured her very first victory on the World Cup stage.
Affected by a mechanical that forced her to surrender time and position, Vos showed her determination in her first race after two off months. Meantime, following Van Empel’s solo break was Canada’s Maghalie Rochestie, while Denise Betsema was solid early on but faded on the long run.
Also showing off strong was Italy’s Eva Lechner, who emerged into the leading position, racing along with the surging Vos for a couple of laps.
In the penultimate lap is where Van Empel’s performance slightly dipped, while Marianne Vos showed off her racing pedigree by reducing the gap to the leaders, coming back on Rochestie and, finally, bridging to Van Empel in the final corners of the race.
In all went down to the very last bend, leading on the finishing straight: Vos dared to overtake Van Empel, but lost grip and went down, eventually leaving way to her rival and being unable to contest the sprint for first place. Vos still secured the runner-up spot, with Rochette rounding out the podium.
