We are interested in algebraic properties of empty lattice simplices $Δ$, that is, $d$-dimensional lattice polytopes containing exactly $d+1$ points of the integer lattice $\mathbb{Z}^d$. The cyclicity rank of $Δ$ is the minimal number of cyclic subgroups that the quotient group of $Δ$ splits into. It is known that up to dimension $d \leq 4$, every empty lattice $d$-simplex is cyclic, meaning that its cyclicity rank is at most $1$. We determine the maximal possible cyclicity rank of an empty lattice $d$-simplex for dimensions $d \leq 8$, and determine the asymptotics of this number up to a logarithmic term.