UCI MTB World Championships: Puck Pieterse claims first elite title in Andorra
Dutch rider out-paces teammate Terpstra, Berta wins bronze
Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) soloed to the first elite MTB world championship title of her young career, beating teammate Anne Terpstra by almost a minute. Martina Berta of Italy was third.
"I cannot comprehend it yet!" Pieterse said. "I rode my own pace from the start. I thought I need to go all-in if I want to win this. And I kept pushing and apparently it was enough. I have my first Elite UCI World title and I'm just so happy."
It continues an impressive run for the Dutch rider, who has not only won the European mountain bike title and three World Cup rounds already this season but also on the road has just taken a stage win and overall youth category on her debut at the Tour de France Femmes.
Pieterse got away with a strong group containing Alessandra Keller (Switzerland), Candice Lill (South Africa), Sevilla Blunk and Hayley Batten (USA) and defending champion and Olympic champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (France).
One by one, her companions faded. Ferrand-Prévot and Blunk were dropped by the halfway point, and Pieterse went clear with Lill before distancing her, too.
Lill slid out on the penultimate lap and was passed by Terpstra, and the two traded blows on the final lap until Terpstra left her behind. Berta, coming in strong in the finale, passed Lill to claim the bronze.
The five-time title holder and Olympic gold medallist Ferrand-Prévot came over the line in 14th place in what is set to be her final mountain bike race before making the shift to the road. The powerful force in the discipline, however was walking away content.
"Nothing in the tank today, I think it’s the good moment to quit this discipline," the French rider said, in a comment punctuated by a chuckle emoji, on Instagram.
Results
Results powered by FirstCycling
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Tadej Pogačar, Primož Roglič co-lead elite men's Slovenian team at Zurich Worlds
'The goal is to win a medal in both the time trial and the road race' says national team coach -
Italy back Jonathan Milan to beat Van der Poel, Philispen and Pedersen at men's European Championship
Italian squadra built to protect and lead out Lidl-Trek sprinter -
European Championships: Lorena Wiebes wins elite women road race with power sprint finish
Netherlands sprinters beats Elisa Balsamo and Daria Pikulik after controlled race -
Marc Hirschi continues winning streak with victory at Memorial Marco Pantani
Lorenzo Milesi second, Vincenzo Albanese third in Cesenatico