Pieterse wins with agony the thriller of the Hulst CX World Cup

Pieterse takes the victory in the Hulst CX World Cup. The Dutchwoman had the race on track with the devastating pace from the start, although in the end Alvarado broke away from Brand, hooked onto the winner's trail and made her sweat for the victory until exhaustion. Van Empel suffered a fall and finished fourth behind Brand.

Pieterse wins the Hulst CX World Cup ahead of a huge Alvarado, Brand and Van Empel

The race started with the usual good start from Schreiber. The Grand Duchy champion took the lead in the early stages of the race, although Pieterse took the top spot when the Hulst layout allowed her. Brand and Van Empel did the same, while Alvarado was a bit behind.

Bad luck knocked on Mooors' door: her chain came off in the first few pedal strokes and, unable to put it back in place, she was forced to continue on foot to the assistance area.

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Pieterse activated the offensive mode. The Dutchwoman faced the race without speculating with a tremendous pace that took a toll on her rivals from the start. The move served to open a gap of nine seconds shortly after revealing her cards.

Pieterse's attack forced the others to have to come back, although behind there was disunity: Van Empel assumed the rainbow stripes and led the hunt, while Brand gave up meters and Alvarado tried to show her head as soon as possible.

Pieterse increased the pace and Brand reconnected with Van Empel. Both pursuers tried to reduce the difference without success, while Alvarado joined them to form a trio and add legs in the tough fight to reach the front.

The desire to reach Pieterse faded as the race progressed and the orange-haired rider, far from slowing down, continued to add seconds to her pocket. Alvarado, visibly fresher than her other two travel companions, led the chase. And then Van Empel fell in an incident that made her lose several seconds with the pair.

Pieterse continued pedaling with a runaway ease and, although the declared effort of the leader seemed to give her an increasingly larger rent, the passing of the kilometers changed the balance of the scale. Alvarado and Brand did their homework well and managed to cut differences with Pieterse to stay 15 seconds in the penultimate lap.

On the other hand, Van Empel continued embroiled in her particular battle to get back into the rhythm of the race. In fact, the great pace reached by the Alvarado-Brand pair caused Van Empel's comeback to stall.

The duel in the distance increased in intensity: Pieterse was aware that she could become prey and was forced to demand more, while Alvarado and Brand had the incentive to see the orange ponytail getting closer and closer.

Alvarado and Brand intimidated a Pieterse who, knowing that both riders were a real threat to her interests, fought not to give them the chance to dream.

Pieterse failed on one of the intense climbs of Hulst, gave up a bit of time and gave wings to pursuers who were still eager to get something to eat. Brand went out of the picture after the huge descent of the Dutch circuit, at which point Alvarado passed the scissors to cut all the gap with Pieterse and stick to her wheel.

The excitement reached its peak in the last stretch of the test. The script of the race spurred Alvarado to try the feat and, although she was close, Pieterse stayed ahead with difficulty until Alvarado, who was also at the limit, could no longer and gave up a few decisive meters.

The arrival at the finish line was agonizing and Pieterse drew a tired smile to certify the victory in the Hulst CX World Cup. The Dutchwoman adds the second consecutive victory in the competition after the success she also achieved in Gavere.

Van Empel caught up with Brand to play for the third podium spot in the final sprint, although she was frustrated when the rainbow's foot slipped off the pedal.