The first all-snow UCI Cyclocross World Cup was the spectacle we all hoped for. The frozen course delivered a surprise winner and had the favorites slipping in their chase of the young rider.
A day to remember…. Thanks Italy, Thanks Val di Sole 💚🤍❤️ #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/qVGyoN6og4
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) December 12, 2021
While Fem van Empel raced out to an early lead, Marianne Vos suffered a dropped chain and Denise Betsema got swarmed.
Canadian Maghalie Rochette had a strong, steady race to secure a podium finish, while Vos roared back in her first race back after her mid-season break.
The top three came together after Van Empel looked like she was going to run away with the win.
Vos had a thrilling last-lap chase and reeled in Van Empel with just two turns left.
Unfortunately, it was two turns too many. Vos hooked a course pole in the penultimate turn in the fight for the inside line. She was thrown on the ground by the sudden stop.
Van Empel couldn’t get by, but stayed on her bike to pass the GOAT and sprint for the win.
Eva Lechner had a strong race on home snow to finish fourth, while Betsema faded to fifth.
See the brief highlights and full results below.
A spectacular race in Italy with an even more spectacular finish! 🇮🇹 Relive Fem van Empel’s first professional victory! 👏 #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/5ct2JsIgn1
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) December 12, 2021
2021 Val di Sole UCI Cyclocross World Cup Results: Elite Women
| Pos | Bib | Name / UCI Cyclocross Team | NAT | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | * VAN EMPEL Fem PAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL | NED | 51:50 | - |
| 2 | 5 | VOS Marianne JUMBO-VISMA WOMEN TEAM | NED | 51:56 | +0:06 |
| 3 | 27 | ROCHETTE Maghalie | CAN | 52:01 | +0:11 |
| 4 | 9 | LECHNER Eva TRINX FACTORY TEAM | ITA | 52:13 | +0:23 |
| 5 | 2 | BETSEMA Denise PAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL | NED | 52:35 | +0:45 |
| 6 | 26 | CLAUZEL Helene A.S BIKE CROSSTEAM | FRA | 53:53 | +2:03 |
| 7 | 8 | ARZUFFI Alice Maria VALCAR - TRAVEL & SERVICE | ITA | 53:57 | +2:07 |
| 8 | 20 | CANT Sanne IKO - CRELAN | BEL | 54:32 | +2:42 |
| 9 | 3 | * PIETERSE Puck ALPECIN - FENIX | NED | 54:44 | +2:54 |
| 10 | 10 | PERSICO Silvia | ITA | 55:25 | +3:35 |
| 11 | 12 | GARIBOLDI Rebecca | ITA | 55:33 | +3:43 |
| 12 | 28 | MCGILL Sidney | CAN | 55:51 | +4:01 |
| 13 | 6 | TAUBER Anne CST POSTNL BAFANG MTB RACING TEAM | NED | 56:12 | +4:22 |
| 14 | 30 | HEIGL Nadja KTM ALCHEMIST POWERED BY BRENTA BRAKES | AUT | 56:52 | +5:02 |
| 15 | 23 | * CRABBE Kiona PLANTUR-PURA | BEL | 57:06 | +5:16 |
| 16 | 21 | FRANCK Alicia PROXIMUS - ALPHAMOTORHOMES - DOLTCINI CT | BEL | 57:16 | +5:26 |
| 17 | 15 | BULLERI Alessia | ITA | 57:21 | +5:31 |
| 18 | 14 | * BRAMATI Lucia TRINX FACTORY TEAM | ITA | 57:48 | +5:58 |
| 19 | 13 | BARONI Francesca KTM ALCHEMIST POWERED BY BRENTA BRAKES | ITA | 58:03 | +6:13 |
| 20 | 11 | * REALINI Gaia | ITA | 58:28 | +6:38 |
| 21 | 18 | BORGHESI Letizia AROMITALIA BASSO BIKES VAIANO | ITA | 58:44 | +6:54 |
| 22 | 7 | TERPSTRA Anne GHOST FACTORY RACING | NED | 58:53 | +7:03 |
| 23 | 17 | * BORELLO Carlotta | ITA | 59:16 | +7:26 |
| 24 | 31 | EIBL Ronja ALPECIN - FENIX | GER | 59:29 | +7:39 |
| 25 | 29 | BARHOUMI Zina | SUI | 1:00:13 | +8:23 |
| 26 | 16 | TEOCCHI Chiara TRINITY RACING | ITA | 1:00:26 | +8:36 |
| 27 | 22 | PEETERS Jinse PROXIMUS - ALPHAMOTORHOMES - DOLTCINI CT | BEL | 1:02:11 | +10:21 |
| 28 | 19 | * ZANGA Marta KTM PROTEK ELETTROSYSTEM | ITA | -1 LAP | |
| 29 | 24 | COOGAN CISEK Corey VELOREVOLUTION WPCYCLES | USA | -1 LAP | |
| 30 | 25 | ARENSMAN Allison VELOREVOLUTION WPCYCLES | USA | -2 LAP |
