"This was the first cross where I felt like a cyclo-cross rider again" - Puck Pieterse has good sensations after third place in Baal cyclocross

Puck Pieterse was one of the main attention drawers both prior and during the GP Sven Nys Baal. The Fenix-Deceuninck rider, who returned to action after few days out of competition due to an illness, rode alone at the front for a while, but eventually had to settle for third place. However, she was satisfied with her first cross after a complicated period.

"It took a while to figure it out," Pieterse began her story. "Eventually, you get a bit more tired, which makes it a bit more difficult. I made a mistake that allowed Lucinda to come back. She immediately saw her chance to take over. She did that very well."

Brand once again proved her quality at such scenarios, not letting Pieterse to come back to the front again. "I was then stuck at ten seconds the whole time, until the last half lap. Then the best was gone. And Fem and Lucinda then started fighting so hard for the victory that it was also difficult to keep up when you are already at a gap."

Pieterse did not win, but was happy with her cross. "This was the first cross where I felt like a cyclo-cross rider again. I could compete for the win and I think it was one of the most exciting crosses so far. After Gavere I got sick, so I didn't know how it would go today. But apparently lying in bed all day made my form good (laughs)."