Puck Pieterse will begin the primary of 11 races that can make up her 2024-2025 cyclocross season on Sunday on the UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Namur.
“I’m trying ahead to my return to the sphere in Namur,” Pieterse instructed Het Nieuwsblad from the Fenix-Deceuninck coaching camp in Benicassim, Spain.
“I’m motivated for each race, however at all times slightly bit extra for Namur. It is among the most stunning circuits, I prefer to trip there. That at all times offers additional motivation. And I’m at the beginning with a contemporary thoughts.”
The 22-year-old is coming off a two-month break from competitors, longer than regular after she focused the UCI Gravel World Championship title in October, ending fourth, and a busy highway and mountain bike season earlier than that which included the Olympic Video games and Tour de France, the place she received stage 4 in Liège.
“I’m beginning to get the itch now,” Pieterse mentioned. “I’ve adopted loads of competitions on tv up to now few weeks and now I really feel like beginning myself. The primary two weeks of my vacation I didn’t contact the bike, after that I solely cycled for 2 weeks after I felt prefer it. I’ve been coaching structured once more since November. That isn’t very lengthy, however I nonetheless hope to achieve my stage of the previous winters.”
Though her 2024 season has been busy and her begin in cyclocross delayed, Pieterse has 12 races deliberate earlier than Worlds, most of that are World Cups with the penultimate spherical in Maasmechelen the one possibly on her calendar.
“I’m going to do nearly as many cyclocross races as final season. I don’t assume I’ll ever have ridden so many competitions in such a brief time frame, I’m additionally going to trip double weekends for the primary time.”
Her first double weekend comes subsequent week with the World Cups in Hulst and Zonhoven, adopted by the ‘kerstperiode’ races in Gavere, Diegem and Baal on December 26, 30 and January 1.
“I noticed on tv that the extent of the highest athletes is shut collectively,” Pieterse mentioned. “Final 12 months the variations have been greater. I really need to compete for the win immediately and hope to be on the best step as typically as doable. However on the identical time, I’ve to attend and see how my situation is, and the way my preparation will repay. The World Championships in Liévin in early February are my foremost aim of the 12 months.”
The Namur World Cup, with its steep climbs across the citadel, is among the most demanding circuits on the calendar.
“I understand that this isn’t the course the place you begin calmly and sit on the wheels for some time. In Namur, the strongest typically wins, hiding your self is inconceivable. And but I secretly hope that I’m already ok to combat for the victory. Whether or not that hope is justified, we are going to see on Sunday.
“I’ll most likely be on the third beginning row. In precept, in Namur, you’ve sufficient time to maneuver up instantly, though there’s a threat that you’ll find yourself within the crowd.”
How one can watch cyclocross: Reside streams, TV channels, schedule for 2024/25 season
Subscribe to Cyclingnews for limitless entry to our 2024/25 Cyclocross protection. Do not miss any of the breaking information, stories, and evaluation from all the most important CX races as we construct as much as the World Championships. Discover out extra.
Puck Pieterse’s 2024-2025 cyclocross schedule
UCI Cyclocross World Cup Namen – December 15UCI Cyclocross World Cup Hulst – December 21UCI Cyclocross World Cup Zonhoven – December 22UCI Cyclocross World Cup Gavere – December 26Superprestige Diegem – December 30X2O Trophy Baal GP Sven Nys – January 1, 2025X2O Trophy Koksijde – January 3UCI Cyclocross World Cup Dendermonde – January 5Dutch Nationwide Championships – January 12UCI Cyclocross World Cup Benidorm – January 19UCI Cyclocross World Cup Maasmechelen (TBC) – January 25UCI Cyclocross World Cup Hoogerheide – January 26UCI Cyclocross World Championships – Liévin – February 1
