Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) earned her first large Classics victory on Wednesday, rounding Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ) in a slow-motion dash to win La Flèche Wallonne.
The Fenix-Deceuninck rider rose out of the saddle with 150m to go on the punishing Mur de Huy climb, attacking past the race’s 2023 winner, and holding her off by simply two seconds.
The win marked solely the second of Pieterse’s younger street profession, following on from a stage victory ultimately 12 months’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. A former world champion in cyclo-cross and mountain bike, the 22-year-old transitioned to the street in 2024, and is but to complete exterior the top-10 in races this season.
“It took every thing, however I am actually joyful to get a victory right here,” Pieterse informed the TV cameras afterwards.
“We had been at all times in management with the crew, particularly after we got here to the native lap.
“On the bike, I believed, ‘Now I actually, actually have to complete it off, to present them one thing again’. I am simply tremendous joyful to get it. I believe I did every thing good this race. I attacked the place everyone says you must assault. I listened to my sports activities director for a change,” she added with a wink.
The way it occurred
(Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
With the rain pouring down on the beginning line in Huy, Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) – winner of seven editions in a row from 2015 to 2021 – withdrew earlier than the beginning gun sounded, cautious to not worsen an sickness she had been carrying for a number of days.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, evaluations and professional shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
A number of hopeful assaults livened up the opening 100km, however every was rigorously policed. The race entered its remaining 40km with one lone rider – Cédrine Kerbaol (EF Training-Oatly) – recognized for her bike dealing with abilities, and solo winner of a stage of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift final 12 months. The Frenchwoman’s benefit grew out to 40 seconds over the primary of two ascents of the Mur de Huy.
Kerbaol’s foray, nonetheless, would solely final till 7km to go. The EF Training-Oatly rider was swallowed up within the rush of the peloton on the race’s penultimate climb – the Côte de Cherave – the place Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) moved to the entrance.
By the point the peloton reached the finale on the Mur de Huy, its measurement was 1 / 4 of what it had been firstly of the day.
Juliette Labous (FDJ-SUEZ) led into the foot of the climb, sheltering Vollering on her wheel. Because the tarmac then rose to 19%, the French champion peeled off, leaving her crew chief to tempo by herself.
Swarmed intently by her rivals, particularly Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Staff ADQ), Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) and Pieterse, Vollering remained centered on the street lifting up in entrance of her. She pedalled sooner, placing a motorcycle size into most, however could not shake off Pieterse.
The Fenix-Deceuninck rider stood up on her pedals with 150m to go and lashed in opposition to the fierce gradient. As she crested the highest of the Mur, she gritted her enamel, and continued to push away from Vollering, who crossed the road two seconds later.
Longo Borghini gained the bike throw for third, whereas final 12 months’s winner, Niewiadoma, narrowly missed out on the rostrum.
La Flèche Wallonne Féminine 2025 (140.7km)
1. Puck Pieterse (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck, in 3:53:25
2. Demi Vollering (Ned) FDJ-SUEZ, +2s
3. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) UAE Staff ADQ, +6s
4. Kasia Niewiadoma (Pol) Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto, at identical time
5. Liane Lippert (Ger) Movistar, +11s
6. Kim Le Courtroom (Mus) AG Insurance coverage-Soudal, +14s
7. Juliette Labous (Fra) FDJ-SUEZ
8. Nienke Vinke (Ned) Picnic PostNL, each at identical time
9. Niamh Fisher-Black (NZl) Lidl-Trek, +20s
10. Mijntje Geurts (Ned) Visma-Lease a Bike, at identical time