After her breakthrough in last year’s spring campaign, Puck Pieterse heads back to the Belgian Ardennes with confidence. The Dutch rider proved with her victory in La Flèche Wallonne that she can also compete for the win in the Spring Classics.

“That win obviously felt very special,” Puck looks back. “I had already taken some nice victories before, like in the Tour the France Femmes and on the mountain bike, so it wasn’t new. But it was a confirmation that I can also win in the spring Classics. I had been close a few times already, but winning is still something different. It was  important for my confidence.”

According to Pieterse, the difference between a good result and victory is small, but crucial. “A top ten is already very good, and a podium is obviously great. But to win, you need that little bit extra. Sometimes a bit of luck, but definitely also enough self-belief.”

La Flèche Wallonne remains a very specific race. “Everyone knows I like to race aggressively. But in this Classic, you can’t really try something from far out. It wouldn’t be smart to attack before the Mur de Huy. It’s all about positioning and then going as hard as possible all the way up.” Still, timing plays its role there as well. “You still have to pick the right moment. Last year we had a clear plan for the Mur and I stuck to it well. But in the end, it’s also about feeling and intuition.”

Focus on the Ardennes Classics
Pieterse is positive about her current form. “Even though I didn’t have my best legs in the Amstel Gold Race last Sunday, I think I’m at a similar level compared to last year. The difference is that the overall level has increased. More riders have taken a step forward, so the racing has become harder.” Puck points in particular to FDJ-Suez. “They’ve already won Classics with four different riders this spring, which says a lot. The overall level has clearly increased.”

Puck’s focus this spring is clearly on the Ardennes Classics. “Together with the Tour of Flanders, these races are my main goals. I see Strade Bianche as a nice opener, but I’m usually still missing a bit of race intensity there due to a lack of race days. From Flanders onwards, it really starts, up to Liège-Bastogne-Liège.”

After her win last year, the confidence is there. She also has faith in the team. “We have a similar team to last year. Lotte Claes is new in the team, and Carina has prepared more specifically for the Ardennes this year. But everyone knows what to do at the right moments. The tactics won’t change much. Like most teams: keep it together until the foot of the Mur and then go all out.”

Three podium finishes last year
Expectations are high after last year’s strong results, but Pieterse remains grounded. “It was a very strong Ardennes campaign, with podium finishes in Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Of course you want that again, but it won’t be easy. I’d rather have one real standout result than three podiums. Hopefully I can get that one big result, but I don’t feel the need to match anything. I’m in good shape, I’ll do my best, and we’ll see where that takes us.”

After Liège, a short break is planned. “After that, I’ll switch back to mountain biking. There are no more road races on my schedule until the Tour de France.”