The Dutch Team Jumbo–Visma rider, also the reigning world champion, defended her victory in Waterloo last year as she came home to win in 48min 31sec.

She dominated from start to finish over the five lap course in Wisconsin and finished 36 seconds in front of compatriot Puck Pieterse, riding for Fenix-Deceuninck.

An all-Dutch podium was completed by Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado of Alpecin-Deceuninck, the former world champion who ended nearly two minutes behind the winner.

"I didn't know what happened in the race because I did not accelerate," said Van Empel, who only briefly lost the lead to Pieterse on the first lap.

"I only rode at my own pace. 

"That was enough to make a gap. 

"I'm very happy to win this race." 

In the men's race, Thibau Nys of Belgium and Baloise-Trek Lions claimed the first World Cup win of his career.

The under-23 world champion finished in 56:59 for a 16 second win over compatriot Eli Iserbyt, riding for Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal.

Nys opened up a gap on lap five of seven with Dutch rider Pim Ronhaar of Baloise-Trek Lions ending third, 41 seconds adrift of the pace.

Laurens Sweeck, the defending overall World Cup champion, was not in action after the Dutch Crelan-Corendon cyclist suffered a crash last week.

"It's unbelievable and something I will never forget," Nys said. 

"Here in the US and at the headquarters of Trek, riding solo to the line, it's one of the best days on my bike."

The next leg of the season will be in Maasmechelen in Belgium on October 29.