Puck Pieterse Secures Flèche Wallonne Triumph

With just 150 metres to go on the brutal climb—its gradients spiking up to 19%—Pieterse rose out of the saddle and surged past Vollering, last year’s winner, to take the win by two seconds. It was only the second road race victory of her young career, following a stage win at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in 2023.

“It took everything, but I’m really happy to get a victory here,” Pieterse said afterwards, breathless and beaming at the finish line.

A former world champion in cyclo-cross and mountain biking, Pieterse only transitioned to road racing in 2024—but she’s made an instant impact, never finishing outside the top 10 so far this season.

“We were always in control with the team, especially when we came to the local lap,” she continued. “On the bike, I thought, ‘Now I really, really have to finish it off, to give them something back’. I’m just super happy to get it. I think I did everything good this race. I attacked where everybody says you have to attack. I listened to my sports director for a change,” she added with a wink.

The day began under heavy rain in Huy, with the peloton hit by a major absence: Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime), the seven-time winner of the race, withdrew before the start to avoid worsening an illness.

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Though several early breakaways animated the opening 100 kilometres, none were allowed much freedom. The most promising escape came from France’s Cédrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly), a skilled descender and solo winner of a Tour de France Femmes stage last year. She gained up to 40 seconds over the first of two ascents of the Mur de Huy, but her adventure came to an end with 7km remaining, as the peloton reeled her in on the Côte de Cherave.

That climb also saw Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) make her move, driving the pace and thinning the bunch ahead of the decisive final ascent.

Only a fraction of the day’s starters reached the base of the Mur in contention. Juliette Labous (FDJ-SUEZ) led the charge, setting up Vollering perfectly before peeling off. The reigning French champion left her teammate to face the final test alone.

Vollering pushed hard, initially gaining ground on her rivals, including Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ), Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto), and the ever-present Pieterse. But the Fenix-Deceuninck rider stayed tight on her wheel and, with 150m remaining, launched the decisive attack.

Teeth gritted and body rocking, Pieterse crested the summit in full flight, distancing Vollering to take a memorable win.

Elisa Longo Borghini claimed third in a tight bike throw, while Niewiadoma, despite a strong effort, missed out on the podium this year.