Pieterse wins Zonhoven CX World Cup after Brand's hard crash

Pieterse takes the victory in the Zonhoven World Cup CX. The Dutchwoman took over from her compatriot Brand when a hard fall forced her to abandon. The veteran rider was ruling the race at her whim, but hit the ground with her nose and the pain prevented her from continuing to pedal. Van der Heijden and Backstedt completed the podium. 

Pieterse raises her arms in the Zonhoven World Cup and Brand abandons after a fall

The race started with two notable absences: Van Empel announced a break -which includes Zonhoven and the National Championship- due to the load of races she carries; while Alvarado was out due to back pain that made her abandon yesterday in Gullegem. The overall leader preferred to avoid risks and save herself for the Dutch National Championship, which will be held next weekend. 

The cold welcomed the army of bikes that crowded the finish line. Schreiber found -as so many other times- the magical pedal stroke that allowed her to take the lead.

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Even so, Pieterse took only a few meters to overtake her and take command. The Dutchwoman suffered a flat tyre in the rear wheel, lost some places and went through the assistance area to change machines. Brand, who had a golden opportunity to take a swipe at the overall, was already leading.

Brand went straight ahead without giving time to speculations and started to pull. The veteran rider extended her dominance from the beginning; she continued to add seconds of margin in the face of her rivals' inability to replicate a move that had disarmed them.

Pieterse had to push herself extra to recover the lost positions. The climb of the orange ponytail was unstoppable but slower than expected. Ahead, Brand was flying in Zonhoven and insisted on opening a gap that was already around 15 seconds away.

The race progressed without setbacks, Pieterse caught up with Backstedt, second classified. Both passed through the finish line 19 seconds apart, while Van der Heijden did the same nine seconds later. The newly formed pair divorced soon: the British woman could not contain the pedaling of the Dutchwoman and succumbed. Pieterse thus began the hunt and capture of Brand, who continued to lead with authority.

Brand's reign continued to dominate without signs of weakness. The precise and forceful riding drained Pieterse's options, immersed in a clear effort to reduce the distance that separated her from the leader. Brand's solo adventure suddenly ceased when she fell to the ground on a fast left turn and hit her nose on the cold Flemish ground.

Brand's tyranny ended at that moment; the rider put her hands to her face in a sign of pain, Pieterse overtook her and it took a while before she made a move to get back on. She tried, but the pain was evident and she was forced to abandon.

The incident handed the baton of command to Pieterse and represented a turning point. The race entered a new phase: Pieterse took care of increasing the gap of seconds that separated her from the others. Behind, Van Heijden caught Backstedt and opened a gap with the British champion.

Pieterse walked towards the last lap with strength. Although the positions seemed stable, she provided a flawless riding that ruined any attempt to snatch the lead, as well as put special care in completing the technical parts with a brown dose of agility and freshness.

The kilometers were consumed and Pieterse faced the finish line to win the Zonhoven World Cup. Fourth consecutive victory of the Dutchwoman, although with the absences of Van Empel and Alvrado and the misfortune of Brand today she had less work than expected.

Van der Heijden held her own and arrived in a meritorious second place, while Backstedt signs a third position with a taste of victory. 

Elite Women's Results - Zonhoven CX World Cup

1. Puck Pieterse 51'39"
2. Inge Van der Heijden +24"
3. Zoe Backstedt +41"
4. Annemarie Worst +1'19"
5. Kristyna Zemanova +1'24"
6. Laura Verdonschot +1'29"
7. Leonie Bentveld +2'15’’
8. Blanka Vas +2'37"
9. Sanne Cant +2'49"
10. Lauren Molengraaf +2'58"