Cyclo-cross world champion Fem van Empel ends Visma-Lease a Bike contract ahead of career break - 'Time for a new chapter'

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Three-time Cyclo-cross World Championships winner Fem van Empel has announced that she will end her contract with Visma-Lease a Bike before the new year starts. The 23-year-old took a break from cycling earlier in 2025 but returned in September and has won two Cyclo-cross events. She has decided to take an indefinite break after Visma-Lease a Bike agreed to end their deal which ran until 2027.

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Cyclo-cross world champion Fem van Empel has announced that she is leaving Visma-Lease a Bike ahead of a career break.

Her contract with the team will end at the start of 2026 on January 1, as she looks to take time away from her cycling career.

It is not the first time she has taken a break from cycling, having elected to end her involvement in racing in March earlier this year, before returning in September.

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She has two wins from four Cyclo-cross events in the current season, but Van Empel has explained that her involvement in the race at Koppenbergcross confirmed to her that she should again bring her career to a stop, for now.

Her contract with the Dutch team had been scheduled to run until 2027, but it has now been ended, potentially signalling a longer break this time.

The 23-year-old said: "During the Koppenbergcross, my body and mind gave a very clear signal. I am someone who doesn’t give up easily, but unconsciously, a decision had already formed then. This feels like the right step for me now."

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Discussing her plans for the future, she said she had "concluded that it is better for now to take her career in a different direction.

"This is a well-considered decision that I feel good about. At the moment, both the motivation and the enjoyment I have had in cycling for years are missing.

"I wanted to be honest and fair about this with the team. For now, this is the best choice. It feels like the right time for a new chapter. I am very grateful for all the support I have received from the team, my family, and the fans, and I look forward to what the future brings."

Visma-Lease a Bike CEO Richard Plugge said: "Of course, it’s unfortunate that Fem is leaving us, but we fully respect her decision. She has meant a great deal to our team and to Cyclo-cross in general.

"With her talent, Fem has achieved impressive results and [written] sports history with our team, winning multiple European and world titles. It has been special to witness her development up close and to work together. We wish her every success in the future."

Van Empel won each of the last three Cyclo-cross World Championships, as well as three successive European titles.

She also has 18 individual wins in the Cyclo-cross World Cup, and has won the Cyclo-cross Trophy twice. In road racing, her most recent significant achievement was an eighth-place finish in the 2024 edition of La Fleche Wallonne.

Watch and stream the 2026 cycling season live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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