At the World Cup in Hoogerheide, Van Empel's cyclocross season ended, but she came home early from her vacation to ride two more races in the rainbow jersey. According to Rutger Tijssen, sport technical manager of Team Jumbo-Visma Women, this is typical of the 20-year-old Van Empel. "She is very eager and wants to ride all there is to ride. It's our job to ensure she gets enough physical and mental rest."

After a successful training block, Van Empel feels ready for her debut road race with Team Jumbo-Visma. "I feel good. I just spent two weeks in Spain and rode the necessary kilometres. The preparation for my first road season went well", Van Empel says. She is aware that on Saturday, many people will be watching her. "That doesn't bother me. I'm going into it with an open mind; we'll see."

Tijssen is also pleased with the level Van Empel has shown in training sessions. The Volta Limburg Classic is a great race to start with, according to the Dutchman. "It's not an easy race, but she can start working on her development areas as a road cyclist. I mainly aim at her positioning in the race: where do you go in the peloton at what moment? Road races are longer than cross races and demand a different way of eating and drinking."

She could go far if Van Empel can do both, Tijssen is convinced. "I don't think anyone wants to ride to the finish with her, although I'm curious to see if she's cold-blooded enough to finish it off."

Last year's winner, Amber Kraak, will not join Van Empel on Saturday. The 28-year-old is in Tenerife with some teammates for a training camp. "I would have wanted to ride it again, but the race didn't fit into my schedule this year", says Kraak, who took her first win in last year's edition.

"It was a very hectic race. It was snowing and quite cold. Anouska (Koster), Teuntje (Beekhuis), and I made the race tough. We were in the decisive lead group, and I pulled away with twenty kilometres to go. Throwing my hands in the air on the cobbles was quite a thing, but fortunately, it went well."

Kraak anticipates Team Jumbo-Visma to compete for the top spot again after their triumph last year. The Dutch rider is especially eager to observe Van Empel's abilities on the road. "I think Fem is definitely capable of doing something nice. These are nice climbs in quick succession where you can make the race hard, but it is not a given that the strongest will win, as the course is mainly flat."

The former top rower knows what it is like to start a road race for the first time. As an inexperienced rider, she made her road debut at the 2021 Dutch National Championships. "I found it very exciting", she recalls. "But because we started with a big group, it felt familiar quite quickly. I think it's different for Fem anyway because she already has race experience in cycling."

Kraak advises Van Empel not to waste energy. "In a cross race, you have to fire from start to finish, whereas, in a road race, you have to manage your energy. You have to attack at the right moments."

Van Empel will be joined on Saturday by Nienke Veenhoven, Rosita Reijnhout and Maud Oudeman.