Puck Pieterse, the women's cyclocross star proved in Strade Bianche that she can race with the best road cyclists. The Dutch rider from Fenix-Deceunick made his way to the favorites group and finished in a very honorable 6th place ahead of much more experienced riders.
"I didn't really know what to expect. I didn't feel any pressure from the team, but you still want to do well. Also, because physically I was definitely fine, I wanted to live up to it. So I was quite tense at the start anyway. It was a really fun experience and I surprised myself. It's promising for the future", said Pieterse about her race in an interview for Wielerflits.
Her performance in Strade Bianche gives us much expectation for what she can do more in road cycling, but for now, Pieterse will focus on her third year of her bachelor's degree, which she will finish next year.
"I do that completely from myself, that studying. I do like being able to do something besides cycling. Whether I'm resting on the couch or studying doesn't matter so much. It also keeps the pressure and thoughts off the bike. Cycling always takes priority, though", Pieterse revealed.
Still, there is the possibility that she will race again in road races, but only in the late season since she is also targeting the mountain bike season this year.
"Maybe at the end of the season still, but I don't know yet. I will start building up to the MTB season again soon, and then I will ride my first races at the end of April. I am looking forward to mountain biking very hard, so I don't mind not being able to ride on the road now. The road can wait a while longer, though", she said.
So will the future of Puck Pieterse be a road race cyclist? She doesn't know for sure, but for now, she is focusing on going to the Olympic Games next year in the mountain bike discipline.
"I want to qualify for the Olympics in Paris and after that, I'll see. I've shown myself that I can compete on the road as well, so that's nice. With more specific preparation, maybe, even more, is possible. I also like the fact that that is somewhat undiscovered, that can give even more motivation in the future" the Dutch rider concluded.
WHAT A TEAM! 😍 6-15-22 in today’s @StradeBianche! Amazing peformances from Puck Pieterse, @Yarakastelijn, @CSchweinberger and just our entire #FenixDeceuninck team! All of this in #VerdeComodoro! 💚 #StradeBianche #WatchTheFemmes #Italy #Siena 📷 @facepeeters
