The Fenix-Deceuninck team has unveiled its line-up for the upcoming Tour de France Femmes, with Puck Pieterse aiming to put the disappointment of the Olympics behind her. The Dutch rider narrowly missed out on a medal in the mountain biking event due to a puncture, and now looks to make her mark in the seven-day race on French soil.
Key riders for the general classification are Yara Kastelijn and Pauliena Rooijakkers. Rooijakkers recently demonstrated her strength as a GC contender with a fourth place in the Giro and a ninth in the Vuelta this season. Kastelijn, who finished eighth in the Vuelta, left a lasting impression last year with a solo stage victory in Rodez.
The team has promised an aggressive approach, with Pieterse having a free role. “It would be nice to really be in the mix in the tougher stages,” she mentioned previously. “I don’t have the pressure to chase the yellow jersey. If I lose half an hour in the first stage, it doesn’t matter. Then I can set new goals. The nice thing is that nothing is mandatory. But if I were to aim for something, it would be the young rider classification.”
Belgian riders Julie De Wilde and Marthe Truyen are expected to shine in the sprint stages. De Wilde, known for her explosive speed, has been a consistent performer in sprint finishes and will look to capitalise on any opportunities to secure stage wins. Truyen, with her powerful finishing kick, will also be a strong contender in the flat stages. The duo’s ability to navigate the peloton and position themselves effectively will be crucial in the sprint stages.
The Tour de France Femmes kicks off on Monday, 12th August, in Rotterdam.
2024 Tour de France Femmes Fenix-Deceuninck line-up
- Julie De Wilde
- Yara Kastelijn
- Puck Pieterse
- Marthe Truyen
- Pauliena Rooijakkers
- Carina Schrempf
- Christina Schweinberger
