Marianne Vos understands Fem van Empel's struggle - 'I had a hard time with the attention too'

Speaking at the team's media day, Vos offered her perspective on Van Empel's decision, drawing from her own experience of dealing with the pressures that come with being at the top of women's cycling.

"You can't be a cyclist without 100% dedication," Vos said in quotes collected bySporza, explaining why Van Empel's choice made sense. The veteran knows what it's like to be young and suddenly thrust into the spotlight.

Vos, now 38, knows what it is like to be young, successful, and suddenly everywhere. With 260 UCI wins to her name, she has lived through every level of expectation the sport can place on a rider. 

Van Empel has dominated cyclocross in recent seasons, racking up wins and a world title that made her the next big thing. But with that comes attention, expectations, and a public life that can weigh heavier than results ever do.

“As a young rider, it was also difficult for me to be in the spotlight,” Vos explained. “I just liked riding the bike and wanted to perform well, but with the attention that came with it, I had a hard time.”

The part she did not see coming was the mental pressure that follows you beyond the finish line.

“People have all kinds of opinions about you, recognise you on the street and show appreciation for all the energy you put into sport,” Vos said. “But mentally, that was not always easy for me to deal with.”

Vos summed it up with a line that landed: “Ninety nine percent of a rider’s life is fun. But I didn’t expect that one percent to be part of it.”

That one percent is where Van Empel finds herself now. Vos says she has offered advice when asked, and noticed her teammate had tougher moments over the past year. For now, Vos has not been in contact and prefers to leave Van Empel space to take her time.

Whether a comeback will follow, Vos would not speculate. “I have no idea,” she said. “That decision is completely hers.”