Pieterse is the first Dutch woman to win the world title in mountain biking
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Loading... - Vissarion Novikov
- 03 Sep 2024
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Puck Pieterse made history by becoming the first Dutch woman to win a world championship in mountain biking. She secured the title in Andorra, dominating the cross-country race just a month after experiencing a disappointing flat tire at the Paris Olympic Games, which had dashed her hopes for a medal.
Pieterse led from the start on the challenging 4-kilometer course, completing five laps and distancing herself from the competition. South African competitor Candice Lill initially kept pace with her but eventually fell behind, especially after a crash. Anne Terpstra, another Dutch rider, finished second, making it a one-two finish for the Netherlands. The bronze medal went to Italian rider Martina Berta.
This victory was particularly sweet for Pieterse, who had come close to medaling in Paris but was hindered by a flat tire. Her triumph in Andorra was celebrated by Dutch royalty, with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima praising her resilience and historic achievement.
Pieterse's win follows in the footsteps of Bart Brentjens, who won the world title in mountain biking for the Netherlands back in 1995. Her accomplishment marks a significant milestone for Dutch cycling.
