The Royal Dutch Cycling Union (KNWU) has announced its selection for the upcoming World Cup in Troyes on Sunday, with Puck Pieterse set to make a return to the cyclocross field after a period of rest. Pieterse, who last competed at the World Cup in Waterloo on October 15, had since been recuperating from a long mountain bike season and had indicated her plans to re-enter the races towards the end of November. She will be leading the Dutch women’s team alongside Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, the current World Cup leader. Both Fem van Empel and Shirin van Anrooij are still taking rest periods.
Pim Ronhaar’s World Cup Victory
In the men’s field, the Netherlands boasts the inclusion of Pim Ronhaar, the recent winner at the World Cup in Dendermonde. KNWU coach Gerben de Knegt commented on the federation’s website that Ronhaar’s triumph was a significant and encouraging achievement, particularly as it had been some time since a Dutch rider other than Mathieu van der Poel or Lars van der Haar had secured a World Cup win amongst the men. De Knegt highlighted Ronhaar’s past as a world champion in the under-23 category and celebrated his first World Cup victory in the professional ranks as a boost for Dutch cyclocross and a source of national pride.
Ambitions Amongst Juniors and Under-23 Riders
The upcoming competition in France will also see junior men, junior women, and under-23 men in action for the first time this winter. De Knegt expressed ambitions for redemption after the European Championships, where no medals were secured in these categories. With substantial squads set to compete in Troyes, he hopes the racers can demonstrate that their European Championship performances were merely momentary lapses and that they have greater potential. However, De Knegt noted that the following week’s event in Dublin would feature smaller selections due to the logistical difficulties associated with travelling to Ireland with riders and equipment.
The Dutch Lineup for Troyes
Elite Men
Lars van der Haar
Joris Nieuwenhuis
Pim Ronhaar
Ryan Kamp
Corné van Kessel
Stan Godrie
Mees Hendrikx
Elite Women
Puck Pieterse
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
Inge van der Heijden
Lucinda Brand
Denise Betsema
Manon Bakker
Annemarie Worst
Leonie Bentveld
Lauren Molengraaf
Iris Offerein
Isa Nomden
