Puck Pieterse has swiftly shifted her focus to a new goal following the disappointment at the Paris Olympics. After narrowly missing out on an almost certain silver medal due to a puncture in the mountain bike race, she announced her participation in the upcoming Tour de France Femmes.
Pieterse, who was comforted by the Dutch royal family after her unfortunate fourth-place finish, expressed her excitement for the Tour de France Femmes during an appearance on NOS Studio Paris. “A little tour through the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, finishing on Alpe d’Huez,” she quipped. “I am really looking forward to it!”
The 22-year-old Dutch rider, known for her prowess on both mountain and road bikes, will make her debut in the prestigious race starting on 12th August in Rotterdam. Despite the Olympic setback, Pieterse’s road racing form this spring has been remarkable. She secured top-ten finishes in several notable races, including third place in the Ronde van Drenthe and Trofeo Alfredo Binda, sixth in the Ronde van Vlaanderen, and fifth in Dwars door Vlaanderen.
The Tour de France Femmes promises to be a challenging but thrilling event. The race will commence with three stages entirely on Dutch soil, followed by a journey into Belgium on the fourth day, and finally reaching France on the fifth day. The climactic finale on Alpe d’Huez is eagerly anticipated.
Pieterse’s appearance on NOS Studio Paris was a testament to her resilience. When asked about her upcoming goals by new analyst Annemiek van Vleuten, she responded with a smile, “A little tour through the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, finishing on Alpe d’Huez. I am really looking forward to it!” This statement underlines Pieterse’s determination and ability to look forward despite recent setbacks.
Her achievements in the spring season, including notable placements in major races, have set the stage for what could be a successful debut in the Tour de France Femmes. With her strong performances and versatility, Pieterse is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming race.
