One year after her last cyclocross race appearance, Fem van Empel is ready to pin on her race number again. The Dutch superstar, a three-time world champion in the discipline, is entered in the HG Cross at Meulebeke, scheduled for Saturday, October 17th in Belgium.

This is a highly anticipated return for fans and the entire cyclocross community. The twenty-four-year-old Dutch rider had ended her season prematurely following her withdrawal at the Koppenbergcross last year, choosing to take an extended break and period of reflection away from competition.

Now, after months of training and preparation, Van Empel is ready to get back in the mix. Her presence at Meulebeke represents major news for the international cycling scene, which welcomes back one of the most successful and dominant riders of recent years. All eyes will be on the Dutch champion to see what form she brings to her comeback and what her ambitions might be for the rest of the season.

During her extended time away from racing, Van Empel took the necessary time to reflect on her sporting and personal journey, stepping back from the pressure of competition to rediscover peace of mind, balance, and new motivation. A thoughtful decision that allowed her to look toward the future with greater clarity.

The turning point came last September, when the Dutch champion decided to relaunch her career by signing an agreement through 2027 with FDJ United-SUEZ, one of the most ambitious teams in the international women's road cycling scene, led by European and world champion Demi Vollering. A strong signal of Van Empel's determination to return as a top-level competitor, combining her cyclocross commitments with a high-profile road cycling project.

Her debut at the HG Cross at Meulebeke therefore represents much more than a simple return: it will be the first chapter of a new phase in the career of the three-time world champion, ready to reclaim her place among the great protagonists of world cyclocross wearing the colors of Specialized TMR