Fem van Empel 'looking forward' to Amstel Gold Race after battling illness - 'Hopefully the setbacks are behind me'

Fem van Empel has said she hopes a bout of illness is behind her after recovering in time for this weekend’s Amstel Gold Race, live on Eurosport and discovery+. The Visma-Lease a Bike rider, who said she is "looking forward" to competing in front of a Dutch home crowd during the race, was suffering from illness before and after the Tour of Flanders in March.

Visma-Lease a Bike rider Fem van Empel is "looking forward" to competing in this weekend’s Amstel Gold Race after overcoming a period of illness.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a successful cyclo-cross season, retaining her world title in February. But she fell ill after completing a road racing training camp and was forced to miss Gent–Wevelgem in March.

Van Empel recovered to compete in the Tour of Flanders, placing 17th, but she then fell ill again.

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"The Tour of Flanders was a great experience with all the spectators along the roadside," Van Empel told the Visma-Lease a Bike website. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I was sick again and spent more time in bed than on the bike for a week.

"Fortunately, I felt much better this week. Hopefully, the setbacks are behind me now."

Van Empel will now compete in front of a Dutch home crowd in the Amstel Gold Race, which will be live on Eurosport and discovery+.

Highlights: Van Empel retains title at World Championships with flawless performance

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I'm really looking forward to it," she said. "It is always fun to race in your own country; I know that from the cyclo-cross races. My family will be with me.

"The profile of the Amstel Gold Race is within my capabilities, but I am especially curious about my physical condition. We have a strong team, which makes different scenarios possible. I want to make my contribution to the team."

Van Empel’s team-mate Marianne Vos won the Amstel Gold Race in 2021 and is currently in excellent form after finishing fourth at Paris-Roubaix last weekend.

Riejanne Markus, Eva van Agt, Anna Henderson and Sophie von Berswordt Wallrabe make up the rest of the Visma-Lease a Bike team.

"I would be lying if I said we were not going for the win," said Rutger Tijssen, Visma-Lease a Bike’s technical director. "We are starting with a solid team.

"I'm sure we'll be fighting for victory. How great will it be to win the Amstel Gold Race again as a Dutch team?"

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