Pieterse and Del Grosso shine at Dutch national cyclocross championships

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The women’s race at the Dutch National Cyclocross Championships in Oisterwijk showcased Puck Pieterse at her absolute best. From the opening lap, the 22-year-old Fenix-Deceuninck rider delivered an unrelenting display of power and control, taking her second national title in commanding fashion.

Leonie Bentveld secured the holeshot and briefly led the field, but Pieterse wasted no time making her move. On the first lap, she launched a powerful attack that immediately shattered the race. Her rivals, including Marianne Vos and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, were caught off guard. Pieterse quickly opened a 15-second gap as the muddy and technical course began to take its toll on the chasing group.

“It felt good,” Pieterse said after the race. “I got into my rhythm straight away and could ride my own pace. Whether it looked easy? On a course like this, it’s never easy. There was so much running and grinding through the mud.” Her aggressive riding and efficient handling on the demanding course left her competitors struggling to keep her within sight.

Alvarado, who had suffered back issues leading into the race, faced additional setbacks early on. “Before the first hill, my handlebars twisted, and I went down partially,” Alvarado explained to WielerFlits. “That cost me time, and the race was basically over for me then. Puck was definitely the strongest.” Despite the crash and her physical struggles, Alvarado recovered well to establish herself in second place. She crossed the line 1:11 behind Pieterse and appeared satisfied with her performance given the circumstances. “I wasn’t so fit today, and my back held up reasonably well, but it wasn’t easy,” she added.

Behind Alvarado, the battle for third place added late drama. Marianne Vos, a seven-time national champion, looked set to claim bronze for much of the race, riding steadily in third. However, Denise Betsema, who had paced herself conservatively on the gruelling course, began to close in during the final lap. In a decisive move, Betsema overtook Vos, ultimately securing the final podium spot. “I tried to maintain my rhythm, but my pace dropped too much,” Vos admitted afterward.

Reflecting on her fourth-place finish, Vos remained upbeat. “It was really tough today,” she said. “I tried to close the gap to the front initially, but when Puck got a real lead, it was pretty clear who would win. The course was heavy, and I suffered a lot, but I really enjoyed it. It was a very nice race.”

Pieterse crossed the line solo, visibly delighted, and embraced her family at the finish. Speaking about her win, she said, “When I ride in this jersey, no one will know who wasn’t here today. I’m proud to wear it.”

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divDutch-National-Cyclocross-Championships-Tibor-del-Grosso-secures-stunning-victory-after-three-way-battle-for-elite-mens-titledivPhoto Credit: Getty

Del Grosso outclasses rivals in thrilling men’s race

In the elite men’s race, Tibor del Grosso rose to the occasion with a dramatic victory at the Dutch National Cyclocross Championships. The 21-year-old under-23 World Champion not only claimed the elite title but also retained his under-23 crown in a combined event that delivered a fierce battle on the muddy Oisterwijk course.

The race began with a group of five riders establishing an early lead, including Del Grosso, Joris Nieuwenhuis, Pim Ronhaar, Lars van der Haar, and Corne van Kessel. As the race progressed, Van Kessel was the first to drop back, leaving four riders to contest the title. Van der Haar attempted to break the group with an early surge, but his efforts ultimately fizzled, allowing Ronhaar and Nieuwenhuis to reassert themselves alongside Del Grosso.

Ronhaar launched a bold attack in the penultimate lap, briefly gaining several seconds on Del Grosso. Nieuwenhuis, meanwhile, began to struggle, losing contact with the front two riders. Del Grosso refused to give in, steadily clawing back time on Ronhaar. By the final lap, he was back on his rival’s wheel, setting up a tense finish.

In a perfectly timed move, Del Grosso surged past Ronhaar in the closing metres of the course to take the win by seven seconds. “This course demanded everything, and I’m thrilled to come out on top,” Del Grosso said after the race. Nieuwenhuis completed the podium, finishing 31 seconds behind the winner. Van der Haar came in fourth, unable to rejoin the leaders after being distanced earlier in the race.

The absence of reigning World Champion Mathieu van der Poel, who was sidelined with a rib injury, opened the door for Del Grosso to seize his opportunity. His victory marked a significant achievement, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure on one of the season’s toughest courses. As he crossed the line, the young star celebrated emphatically, cementing his place as one of the brightest talents in cyclocross.

Del Grosso’s win capped off an exciting day of racing in Oisterwijk, highlighting both the depth of talent in Dutch cyclocross and the demanding nature of the national championships.

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Main photo credit: Getty