Demi Vollering second best on the Mur de Huy as Puck Pieterse claims stunning win: “There was one stronger today and that was Puck”

Demi Vollering came up just short at La Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday, finishing second behind Puck Pieterse, who powered to her second-ever professional road victory, and by far the most significant of her young career.

On the steepest slopes of the Mur de Huy, it looked for a moment like Vollering had timed her effort to perfection. Taking over at the front during the decisive final ascent, she launched off the work done by her teammate Juliette Labous. But despite the strong set-up, Pieterse had more left in the tank and surged past to snatch the win.

Speaking to Cycling Pro Net after the race, Vollering reflected on the team’s performance and her own ride.

“I think we did a really good race as a team,” she said. “My teammates were super strong and then in the end Juliette launched me perfectly.”

“After she did a really, really strong job, which I'm really thankful for. I tried to focus on my own effort, but then there was one stronger today and that was Puck. So yeah, really good job from her.”

When asked whether the launch came a bit too early, Vollering was quick to dismiss the idea.

“No, no, no. It was just perfect,” she said. “I think only Puck was stronger today. She could accelerate still, so yeah, there was a good job from her.”

“So nothing went wrong. Juliette did a really perfect job and after I kept the same speed. So yeah, nothing to worry about.”

Despite missing out on victory, the former Tour de France Femmes winner is already turning her attention to the next challenge.

“Now focus on Sunday,” she said. “Yeah, with some good reassurance about the shape just before. Because we... yeah, shape is good I think. So let's hope that Sunday as well.”