Cat Ferguson has added a playful twist to her 2026 ambitions, joking that she intends to make the Amstel Gold Race a major target after being asked on the Domestique Podcast whether she could outdrink Puck Pieterse in a post-race beer.
During her appearance on the show, the 19-year-old Briton was asked about rumours regarding her ability to down a pint. With her typical dry humour, Ferguson replied, “Maybe not a whole pint, but I am British, so I’m definitely up for it.” The hosts soon connected the dots to Pieterse’s now-famous rapid-fire beer gulp on the Amstel podium, prompting the inevitable question: could Ferguson beat her?
“I’d put money on myself, yes,” she laughed. “I’m going to tell Movistar that Amstel Gold Race is my big goal next year. Then we’ll see if I can be on the podium with Puck.”
Behind the jokes, Ferguson’s progression continues to be remarkable. After an extraordinary junior career and a seamless transition into the WorldTour with Movistar, the Yorkshire rider has already become one of the most exciting all-round prospects in the peloton. Her blend of power, race intelligence and versatility has delivered major results across road, track and cyclocross, including a WorldTour stage win at the Tour of Britain Women and victory at Clásica Femenina Navarra in 2025.
Born in Skipton and initially guided into cycling through family rides, Ferguson quickly rose through the British development pathway. Multiple national titles followed before her breakout years in the junior ranks, where she became a four-time world champion in 2024, taking rainbow jerseys in both the road race and time trial, as well as the omnium and team pursuit on the track. Her silver medals in the mixed relay and junior cyclocross race at the 2024 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships further underlined her all-discipline pedigree.
Photo Credit: GettyHer step up to the WorldTour has been equally assured. A podium in her first Trofeo Alfredo Binda, a string of strong Spring Classics performances, and her standout Tour of Britain Women’s confirmed that Movistar’s long-term investment was well placed. In cyclocross, she added a British under-23 title, a senior silver medal at Nationals and helped Great Britain win historic mixed relay gold at the 2025 UCI World Championships.
Ferguson’s 2025 road season continued that upward curve, with standout moments including victory at Vuelta a Andalucía and second overall at the Tour of Britain, where she also claimed the points and young rider classifications. With her consistency, maturity and ability to deliver results in varied terrain, she has rapidly become one of the peloton’s most impressive young leaders.
And now, with a grin and a glint of competitive mischief, she has thrown out a light-hearted challenge to Pieterse.
