Demi Vollering second best on the Mur de Huy as Puck Pieterse claims stunning win: “There was one stronger today and that was Puck”
Cycling
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.
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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.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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