“I think third place was the maximum, Ceylin was superior" - Puck Pieterse reacts to third place at World Cup Namur

Puck Pieterse marked her return to the cyclocross circuit with an impressive third-place finish at the World Cup Namur. Despite stepping back into the discipline after a long absence, the Fenix-Deceuninck rider proved she is already up to speed is a top competitor in the field.

The 22-year-old Dutch star, who has seven World Cup victories to her name in her young career, continued her remarkable 2024 campaign that has already seen her excel across multiple disciplines. Earlier this year, Pieterse claimed a stage victory and the young riders' classification at the Tour de France Femmes, as well as taking the world title in mountain biking.

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Namur’s challenging course offered no easy re-entry into cyclocross for Pieterse, but she demonstrated her usual endurance and skill, battling against top rivals to secure her podium position. Reflecting on her performance, Pieterse shared her thoughts with Wielerflits

“Of course not everything went perfectly, but I’m glad I didn’t have any big crashes or really stupid mistakes,” she reflected on her performance. “I think third place was the maximum. I think Ceylin was just superior today.”

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The Dutch rider also detailed her tactical approach during the race: “At one point I was riding together with Blanka. I tried to drop her on the longer climb, but when I noticed that it wasn’t working, I let her take the lead.”

Pieterse was quick to acknowledge the impressive performances of her competitors, including winner Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Lucinda Brand, who surged through the field after starting from a challenging position.

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“Eventually Lucinda came back, which encouraged me to chase as well. Because Lucinda could have come even closer, but Ceylin was simply superior today,” Pieterse admitted. “Just like Lucinda, because she came from far back to the front. So I’m happy with my third place.”