Tour de France Femmes: Puck Pieterse uses 'poker face' to deliver 'dream' Stage 4 win ahead of Demi Vollering
Published 14/08/2024 at 18:51 GMT+1
Puck Pieterse pipped compatriot Demi Vollering to the post in a dramatic finish to Stage 4 of the Tour de France Femmes on Wednesday. She described her first WorldTour triumph as a "dream come true," but Dutch rider Vollering is still leading the way in the general classification. She is 22 seconds ahead of her 22-year-old rival, while Polish rider Kasia Niewiadoma is in third.
'It's quite unbelievable' - Pieterse on 'poker' play that helped her beat Vollering
Video credit: TNT Sports
Puck Pieterse admits it was a "dream come true" to finish ahead of 2023 winner Demi Vollering in Stage 4 of the Tour de France Femmes.
Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) claimed her first WorldTour triumph after getting the better of her compatriot Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) in a dramatic photo finish.
The Dutch cyclist finished in 3:12:28, with Vollering in second and Polish rider Kasia Niewiadoma taking third.
Pieterse says she used her "poker face" to get ahead of her two rivals at the perfect moment.
"To take the win here in a sprint against Demi, it really is a dream come true," she said.
"No I knew they were riding for GC and I am just here for the stage while I am fresh so I could poke her a bit.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/08/14/4026768-81673008-2560-1440.png)
Tour de France Femmes Stage 4 highlights: Pieterse claims dramatic victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I just tried to keep a poker face and take it from the sprint.
"I think I went quite early in the end but yeah, I have never been here so I did not know where the finish line was.
"We had to wait for what felt like ages for the whistle but I am so happy to take the win."
Vollering finished atop the general classification rankings in last year's Tour de France Femmes.
She is leading the general classification again this year and is still 22 seconds ahead of her 22-year-old rival after having to settle for second in Stage 4.
- Vollering dominates to win time trial on Stage 3 to take yellow jersey
- Vollering 'really surprised’ by Stage 3 win - 'No idea I could do this'
Pieterse missed out on a medal at the Olympic Games, finishing fourth in the women's cross-country.
However, she believes the work she put in ahead of the Games paid off.
"I don't know [how she manages to be so competitive on her first Tour]," Pieterse explained.
"I live for this, I worked up so much to the Olympic Games and when you have good legs there you have good legs there.
"It is quite unbelievable actually, I don't know the last few days I had super good legs.
"The first day I had good legs, the second day I had good legs, and today I did not feel my legs at all."
'she is going to be unbeatable'
Dani Christmas believes Pieterse proved age is nothing but a number by winning Stage 4.
She insists that the 22-year-old has the personality and the talent the sport deserves.
"That is what I was saying when I said she is so much fun on the bike," she told Eurosport's Breakaway programme after the race.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/08/14/4026730-81672253-2560-1440.jpg)
'Outsprints the yellow jersey!' - Pieterse pips Vollering to take Stage 4 triumph
Video credit: TNT Sports
"She is a really fun rider, if you follow her on social media you know most days she is just popping wheelies, going up on a climb.
"She is a really good personality, and it is one of those personalities that the sport really needs.
"She seems so fresh and green in the races, we spent the whole commentary saying everybody knows this stage, and then she comes in and says she does not know where the finish line was.
"She has so much talent that she almost does not need that experience, but when she gets that experience she is going to be unbeatable."
---
Watch the Tour de France Femmes 2024 live on Eurosport 1 and discovery+.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement