Former cyclocross world champion Hennie Stamsnijder has criticised Visma | Lease a Bike for failing to protect Fem van Empel from overload, arguing the team "did not intervene in time" before the 23-year-old terminated her contract and paused her career indefinitely.
Speaking on the WielerFlits Podcast, Stamsnijder said the team made a "great mistake" by attempting to turn Van Empel into a "second Marianne Vos" and by promoting road racing ambitions that he said placed too much pressure on her.
Van Empel, the three-time elite cyclocross world champion, ended her contract with Visma | Lease a Bike on January 1, 2026. The team announced her departure on December 19, following an emotional withdrawal from the Koppenbergcross on November 1, where she abandoned after half a lap.
She later described the moment as a "very clear signal" from her body and mind, adding: "At the moment, both the motivation and the enjoyment I have had in cycling for years are missing."
Stamsnijder contrasted Visma's management with that of Christoph and Philip Roodhooft, the managers of Fenix-Premier Tech. He said the Roodhooft brothers recognise when riders are under too much strain and tell them to stop, a step he believes Visma did not take.
"When you set up with a bus, a truck, and the whole lot, you create expectations so high that you can only fall," Stamsnijder said.
NOS cyclocross commentator Thijs Al, speaking on the same podcast, described the team's logistical presence at races as "fatal" for Van Empel. He suggested the large entourage, while not intended to apply direct pressure, created an atmosphere he considered too intense for a young rider.
Visma | Lease a Bike CEO Richard Plugge described her departure as "unfortunate" but expressed full respect for her decision, highlighting her 50 career victories by age 23.
Stamsnijder said he believes a return is possible, suggesting Van Empel could eventually come back if she trains again for pleasure, with Al arguing it could possibly be within a smaller team with lower expectations.
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Cover image credit: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
