Two out of two for Pieterse in the final weekend after victory in Hoogerheide

Puck Pieterse has also won the race in Hoogerheide after taking victory in the World Cup round in Maasmechelen the day before. The Dutch rider prevailed in a tactical race against Kristýna Zemanová and Amandine Fouquenet, achieving a perfect two out of two in the final weekend of the most important regularity criterium.

The fast conditions in Hoogerheide made it difficult to create differences. In the first half of the race, the peloton rode in a long line, with different riders constantly taking turns at the front. Shirin van Anrooij (Baloise Verzekeringen – Het Poetsbureau Lions) and Sara Casasola (Crelan-Corendon) set the pace in the opening laps.

The first real acceleration came after 20 minutes thanks to Puck Pieterse (Fenix–Premier Tech), but the Dutch rider soon realized that the race was still long. In lap four, Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw CT) pushed hard on an uphill section. Pieterse followed in her wheel and accelerated herself a few minutes later. The attacking moves resulted in a leading trio: Pieterse, Fouquenet, and Casasola.

The trio seemed set to decide the winner in Hoogerheide, but Zoë Backstedt (Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto) had other plans. The British rider managed to bridge across, bringing Viktória Chladonová (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and Kristýna Zemanová (VIF Cycling Team) with her. Halfway through the fifth lap, there were suddenly nine leaders again, as Van Anrooij, Marion Norbert Riberolle (Crelan-Corendon), and Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon) also rejoined the front.

With two laps to go, teammates Casasola and Norbert Riberolle crashed in the final corner of the course. Pieterse pulled out all the stops uphill in the penultimate lap but was unable to drop Fouquenet. The Dutch rider then made a small mistake on an off-camber section, allowing Fouquenet to start the final lap with a slight advantage.

Pieterse fought her way back onto the French rider’s wheel, with Zemanová close behind. The Dutch rider played her final cards and launched another attack. Fouquenet was visibly struggling and had to let Zemanová pass. Pieterse managed to hold on to her small lead and, after Maasmechelen the day before, was once again able to celebrate victory in Hoogerheide. Zemanová finished second, Fouquenet third.