After dominating the cyclocross field this winter, winning 14 of 16 races, Femme van Empel will take a well-deserved two-week break from the discipline before the Benidorm World Cup on January 21.

World champion van Empel will miss Sunday's Sonnenhoven World Cup and next week's Dutch National Championships to attend a training camp in Spain with his Vimalies a Bike teammates.

"It's been busy, but a great time," van Empel said.

"Now it's time to take a break to recover and build my body for what's to come.

Van Empel, who competed in Coxsayde, cleared the field on the opening lap and never showed up again. She took her first win in this dune-filled event ahead of a strong starting list that included Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin Deceuninck).

"I am thrilled to win this beautiful race," Van Empel said on the Visma-Lease a Bike website.

"It was great to be able to ride my own line on this course. It gave me a little bit more confidence. That's why I was fast at the start. After that I was able to run at my own pace."

"I was able to run at my own pace.

The Dutchwoman said after the race that it was a late decision to compete in Koksaide. After winning in Barre on New Year's Day, she suffered a minor fall and lacerated her left knee.

Van Empel also suffered a small fall in Thursday's race, and just before she was about to leave in the pits, her foot got stuck in the ground and she collapsed from the knee. He joked after the race, "I think I'm going to need a new knee at the end of the season."

Benidorm is the only confirmed race on the world champion's schedule, but he is likely to compete in the Hogelheid World Cup on January 28 before defending his title in Tabor on February 3.

Van Empel will probably arrive in the Czech Republic as the leading favorite to win the championship, having been dominant throughout the 2023-24 season.