Puck Pieterse is set to kick off her 2024-2025 cyclocross season with the UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Namur on Sunday, marking the first of 11 races on her schedule.
“I am excited to return to the field in Namur,” Pieterse shared with Het Nieuwsblad from the Fenix-Deceuninck training camp in Benicassim, Spain.
“I am motivated for every race, but always a little bit more for Namur. It is one of the most beautiful circuits, I like to ride there. That always gives me extra motivation. And I am starting with a fresh mindset.”
After taking a longer break than usual following the UCI Gravel World Championship in October and a busy road and mountain bike season, Pieterse, 22, is eager to get back into competition.
“I am starting to feel the urge now,” Pieterse said. “I’ve been watching a lot of competitions on TV in the past few weeks and now I’m ready to start myself. I took a two-week break from cycling at the beginning of my holiday, then gradually got back on the bike. I have been following a structured training plan since November. It hasn’t been long, but I hope to reach my previous winter level.”
Despite a busy season and a delayed start in cyclocross, Pieterse has 12 races planned before the World Championships, with most being World Cup events.
“I will be participating in almost as many cyclocross races as last season. I have never competed in so many races in such a short period of time before, and I will also be racing double weekends for the first time.”
Her first double weekend will feature World Cups in Hulst and Zonhoven, followed by races in Gavere, Diegem, and Baal during the ‘kerstperiode’ on December 26, 30, and January 1.
Pieterse emphasized that her main goal for the year is the World Championships in Liévin in early February.
The Namur World Cup, known for its challenging course with steep climbs around the citadel, is one of the toughest circuits in the series.
“I understand that this is not the type of course where you can start slowly and stay behind. In Namur, the strongest riders often come out on top, and there’s no room for hiding. I secretly hope to be in the mix for victory already. We’ll see on Sunday if that hope is justified.”
Pieterse also discussed the competitive level in cyclocross and her aspirations to compete for wins throughout the season.
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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 National 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
