{"id":2167665,"date":"2026-09-27T14:53:31","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T11:53:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2167665"},"modified":"2026-09-27T14:53:31","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T11:53:31","slug":"i-looked-back-and-there-was-really-nobody-left-puck-pieterse-plays-crucial-role-for-demi-vollering-in-united-dutch-performance-at-world-championships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2167665","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;I looked back, and there was really nobody left&#8217; \u2013 Puck Pieterse plays crucial role for Demi Vollering in united Dutch performance at World Championships"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mad5vM2S4dN7zeQYpiXyWD-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mad5vM2S4dN7zeQYpiXyWD-80-80.png.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    UCI hits Demi Vollering with hefty fine and yellow card for position on the bike after World Championships triumph in Montreal\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Dutch star secures first road title in illustrious career at World Road Championships women&#8217;s road race 2026\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    UCI Road World Championships: Demi Vollering outsprints Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney to first world title in women&#8217;s elite road race after gripping final lap duel\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUCI Road World Championships\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;I looked back, and there was really nobody left&#8217; \u2013 Puck Pieterse plays crucial role for Demi Vollering in united Dutch performance at World Championships<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nLukas Kn\u00f6fler <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-09-27T14:53:31Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 September 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Multi-discipline star finishes sixth after providing main lead-out for Dutch rider, who was eventually caught, but still took victory<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-34fbe540-ba83-11f1-a6e9-39a2e08ef51e\">After her sixth-place finish in the women\u2019s elite road race at the UCI Road World Championships, Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) flew through the mixed zone on her bike, shouting &#8220;I\u2019ll come back&#8221; to the waiting journalists. The reason became apparent when the whole Dutch team, including national coach Laurens ten Dam, joined newly-crowned World Champion Demi Vollering on the podium to celebrate the victory after a united team performance.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It was super cool; everybody was happy for each other. We put quite some pressure on ourselves; we had an ambitious plan, but there was also a lot of pressure from the media,&#8221; said Pieterse on her second pass of the mixed zone, once the podium celebrations were over.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-34fbe540-ba83-11f1-a6e9-39a2e08ef51e-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The Netherlands are really quite dominant in women\u2019s cycling, but then, coming to the World Championships, everything has to come together. Demi has to have a very good day, all the others also need to have a good day to perform their tasks. But I think we showed a lot of confidence throughout the race, and that helped Demi as well,&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In previous years, the Dutch national selection had had several leaders who often could not agree on who to support during the race, sometimes to their own detriment. But on Saturday, the orange-clad team rode as one to support Vollering\u2019s goal of her first-ever rainbow jersey \u2013 a decision made easier by Vollering\u2019s domination throughout the season.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Everybody had the same goal. I think that was the case in the past too, but then there were several riders with big wins throughout the season,&#8221; said Pieterse. &#8220;Now it was clear, when one rider wins the Tour, Flanders, Li\u00e8ge, Fl\u00e8che Wallonne, well, that\u2019s your leader.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Job&#8217;s not finished&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering keeping quiet on game plan as she leads Dutch squad at Road World Championships<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It&#8217;s the biggest victory of my career&#8217; &#8211; Demi Vollering&#8217;s team-based plan pays off with title in World Championship road race<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">UCI Road World Championships: Demi Vollering outsprints Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney to first world title in women&#8217;s elite road race after gripping final lap duel<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Amber Kraak, Femke de Vries, Riejanne Markus, Lieke Nooijen, and Karlijn Swinkels controlled the race for a long time, with three Dutch riders at the front of the peloton for most of the race until a first tentative move was made by France\u2019s Ma\u00ebva Squiban in the last 55km.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At one point, it became a bit harder, about a lap before [Vollering\u2019s attack]. We didn\u2019t have the numbers and Squiban went away,&#8221; added Pietersen. &#8220;But we stuck to our plan, we had the idea that we would make our move with three laps to go, and that\u2019s what we did.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oQZwmG9xMKWxnoWdWibZSB\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oQZwmG9xMKWxnoWdWibZSB slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her own job was arguably the most important one, pulling hard up the Voie Camillien-Houde, the main climb of the 13.3km Montreal circuit, to set up Vollering\u2019s attack with 38km to go.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That pull had to be as long as possible. So I went all-out there. When Demi attacked, I looked back, and there was really nobody left in the wheel, so I thought, \u2018okay, it was hard enough\u2019,&#8221; said the 24-year-old.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then I dropped back to the group with Kasia. I didn\u2019t have to do much more, but I also was really exhausted. At one point, I saw we were getting closer and tried to disrupt the chase a bit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;When she passed me, I was like: Allez, Marlen!&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering gracefully deals with the indignity of being caught during World Championships time trial<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Demi Vollering set to lead a Dutch women\u2019s 2026 UCI Road World Championship squad surprisingly lacking two former winners<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Dutch star secures first road title in illustrious career at World Road Championships women&#8217;s road race 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After that, with her leader up the road, Pieterse had a free pass in the groups behind, but the lead-out had taken so much out of her that she couldn\u2019t follow the moves in the final.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was here that her leader was caught by Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Poland) and Elisa Longo Borhgini (Italy), forced to chase down the latter after she attacked, and then hold onto the former when she tried to drop her on the final kicker. In the end, a sprint between the Dutch rider and the Pole saw Volelring still emerge victorious, even if it wasn&#8217;t from plan A.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;After my lead-out, I was still in a good position to get a result myself. If I\u2019d had a bit more left, maybe I could have stayed with the others longer, maybe helped Demi a bit or even sprint for a podium myself,&#8221; said Pieterse<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I didn\u2019t completely sacrifice my own chances, but you know that if you do the lead-out, certainly on the flatter part of the climb, it costs a lot of energy. I think that the women with the most endurance stood on the podium today, and for me it was still a bit too hard.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By the time she reached the finish, Pieterse wasn&#8217;t completely exhausted, though, still able to execute a few wheelies to entertain the Montreal crowds on the finishing straight, before joining up with an emotional, elated Vollering, and celebrating huge success for the Dutch.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-34fbe6c6-ba83-11f1-b55e-03e9329b6b50\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The Dutch team celebrate winning the world title with coach Ten Dam <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-34fbebee-ba83-11f1-8950-1f56be7a1fe3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of both the UCI Road and Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-oQZwmG9xMKWxnoWdWibZSB\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-oQZwmG9xMKWxnoWdWibZSB slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio slice-container-authorBio\" id=\"slice-container-authorBio\" data-component-name=\"Slice:AuthorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-author-bio-max-height=\"250\" data-author-bio-read-more=\"Read more\" data-author-bio-read-less=\"Read less\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">\n<p>Lukas Kn\u00f6fler<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Lukas\u00a0Kn\u00f6fler started working in cycling communications in 2013 and has seen the inside of the scene from many angles. Having worked as press officer for teams and races and written for several online and print publications, he has been Cyclingnews\u2019 Women\u2019s WorldTour correspondent since 2018.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Job&#8217;s not finished&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering keeping quiet on game plan as she leads Dutch squad at Road World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s the biggest victory of my career&#8217; &#8211; Demi Vollering&#8217;s team-based plan pays off with title in World Championship road race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Road World Championships: Demi Vollering outsprints Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney to first world title in women&#8217;s elite road race after gripping final lap duel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;When she passed me, I was like: Allez, Marlen!&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering gracefully deals with the indignity of being caught during World Championships time trial<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Demi Vollering set to lead a Dutch women\u2019s 2026 UCI Road World Championship squad surprisingly lacking two former winners<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Dutch star secures first road title in illustrious career at World Road Championships women&#8217;s road race 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Yes, the favourite won, but the Women&#8217;s World Championships road race was a thriller where everyone was racing for the win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e8eaSgfP4rmNX25tvp85tA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e8eaSgfP4rmNX25tvp85tA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e8eaSgfP4rmNX25tvp85tA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e8eaSgfP4rmNX25tvp85tA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e8eaSgfP4rmNX25tvp85tA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Gravel World Series: Femke Markus and Magnus Bak Klaris take solo victories at Gravel Grit &#8216;n Grind<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJRknF2nFY9scUARF5a7mf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJRknF2nFY9scUARF5a7mf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJRknF2nFY9scUARF5a7mf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJRknF2nFY9scUARF5a7mf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJRknF2nFY9scUARF5a7mf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Virginia&#8217;s Blue Ridge GO Cross: Manon Bakker and Tofik Beshir solo to victories in Roanoke<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bEhu4npypaW6kkyGxoA77o-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bEhu4npypaW6kkyGxoA77o-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bEhu4npypaW6kkyGxoA77o-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bEhu4npypaW6kkyGxoA77o-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bEhu4npypaW6kkyGxoA77o-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Positive medical updates provided for those worst affected by horror crash in World Championships women&#8217;s road race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mad5vM2S4dN7zeQYpiXyWD-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mad5vM2S4dN7zeQYpiXyWD-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mad5vM2S4dN7zeQYpiXyWD-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mad5vM2S4dN7zeQYpiXyWD-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mad5vM2S4dN7zeQYpiXyWD-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI hits Demi Vollering with hefty fine and yellow card for position on the bike after World Championships triumph in Montreal<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CrTGuJjP85WjMJoVWT44SA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CrTGuJjP85WjMJoVWT44SA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CrTGuJjP85WjMJoVWT44SA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CrTGuJjP85WjMJoVWT44SA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CrTGuJjP85WjMJoVWT44SA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There is definitely a beauty of having a competitor that&#8217;s so strong&#8217; &#8211; Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney second best in explosive battle against Dutch rival at Road World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m satisfied with my effort, but I&#8217;m not happy at all&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro does not hide disappointment at missing out on gold at World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NpdbJJc7G3mMX2oXgsk2i8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NpdbJJc7G3mMX2oXgsk2i8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NpdbJJc7G3mMX2oXgsk2i8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NpdbJJc7G3mMX2oXgsk2i8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NpdbJJc7G3mMX2oXgsk2i8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tom Pidcock ditches trade team wheels in favour of upgrade at Road World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HW5pMpVuhNLp7TDVZjC5aT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HW5pMpVuhNLp7TDVZjC5aT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HW5pMpVuhNLp7TDVZjC5aT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HW5pMpVuhNLp7TDVZjC5aT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HW5pMpVuhNLp7TDVZjC5aT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Will we see Mathieu van der Poel again in 2026? Worlds bronze medallist declares his road season is over, with doubts over cyclo-cross campaign<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wRaVmC3SoEXPU3FPaiSfj7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wRaVmC3SoEXPU3FPaiSfj7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wRaVmC3SoEXPU3FPaiSfj7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wRaVmC3SoEXPU3FPaiSfj7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wRaVmC3SoEXPU3FPaiSfj7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Racing without earpieces always makes for the best races&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel nabs bronze in chaotic Worlds road race in Montreal<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AXjNhCaYcqH7gHpCkzNcSd-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AXjNhCaYcqH7gHpCkzNcSd-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AXjNhCaYcqH7gHpCkzNcSd-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AXjNhCaYcqH7gHpCkzNcSd-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AXjNhCaYcqH7gHpCkzNcSd-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I thought my career was done twice in the last two years&#8217; \u2013 Gutsy ride sees Michael Matthews bounce back to make &#8216;dream come true&#8217; with World Championships silver medal<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oZF5dyP6zWTzohxrPnuhAV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oZF5dyP6zWTzohxrPnuhAV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oZF5dyP6zWTzohxrPnuhAV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oZF5dyP6zWTzohxrPnuhAV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oZF5dyP6zWTzohxrPnuhAV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I feel sorry for the result&#8217; &#8211; Giulio Ciccone says Italy deserved a medal at Montreal Worlds, but he had nothing left to give<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I&#8217;m satisfied with my effort, but I&#8217;m not happy at all&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro does not hide disappointment at missing out on gold at World Championships<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tom Pidcock ditches trade team wheels in favour of upgrade at Road World Championships<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Early access: Watch our video review of the Factor Elara before it goes live on YouTube<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Will we see Mathieu van der Poel again in 2026? Worlds bronze medallist declares his road season is over, with doubts over cyclo-cross campaign<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Lennart Jasch charges to top of Gunung Jerai to claim stage 2 of Le Tour de Langkawi and leap into the overall lead<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUCI Road World Championships\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;I looked back, and there was really nobody left&#8217; \u2013 Puck Pieterse plays crucial role for Demi Vollering in united Dutch performance at World Championships<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nLukas Kn\u00f6fler <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-09-27T14:53:31Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 September 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Multi-discipline star finishes sixth after providing main lead-out for Dutch rider, who was eventually caught, but still took victory<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-34fbe540-ba83-11f1-a6e9-39a2e08ef51e\">After her sixth-place finish in the women\u2019s elite road race at the UCI Road World Championships, Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) flew through the mixed zone on her bike, shouting &#8220;I\u2019ll come back&#8221; to the waiting journalists. The reason became apparent when the whole Dutch team, including national coach Laurens ten Dam, joined newly-crowned World Champion Demi Vollering on the podium to celebrate the victory after a united team performance.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It was super cool; everybody was happy for each other. We put quite some pressure on ourselves; we had an ambitious plan, but there was also a lot of pressure from the media,&#8221; said Pieterse on her second pass of the mixed zone, once the podium celebrations were over.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-34fbe540-ba83-11f1-a6e9-39a2e08ef51e-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The Netherlands are really quite dominant in women\u2019s cycling, but then, coming to the World Championships, everything has to come together. Demi has to have a very good day, all the others also need to have a good day to perform their tasks. But I think we showed a lot of confidence throughout the race, and that helped Demi as well,&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In previous years, the Dutch national selection had had several leaders who often could not agree on who to support during the race, sometimes to their own detriment. But on Saturday, the orange-clad team rode as one to support Vollering\u2019s goal of her first-ever rainbow jersey \u2013 a decision made easier by Vollering\u2019s domination throughout the season.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Everybody had the same goal. I think that was the case in the past too, but then there were several riders with big wins throughout the season,&#8221; said Pieterse. &#8220;Now it was clear, when one rider wins the Tour, Flanders, Li\u00e8ge, Fl\u00e8che Wallonne, well, that\u2019s your leader.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Job&#8217;s not finished&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering keeping quiet on game plan as she leads Dutch squad at Road World Championships<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It&#8217;s the biggest victory of my career&#8217; &#8211; Demi Vollering&#8217;s team-based plan pays off with title in World Championship road race<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">UCI Road World Championships: Demi Vollering outsprints Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney to first world title in women&#8217;s elite road race after gripping final lap duel<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Amber Kraak, Femke de Vries, Riejanne Markus, Lieke Nooijen, and Karlijn Swinkels controlled the race for a long time, with three Dutch riders at the front of the peloton for most of the race until a first tentative move was made by France\u2019s Ma\u00ebva Squiban in the last 55km.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At one point, it became a bit harder, about a lap before [Vollering\u2019s attack]. We didn\u2019t have the numbers and Squiban went away,&#8221; added Pietersen. &#8220;But we stuck to our plan, we had the idea that we would make our move with three laps to go, and that\u2019s what we did.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oQZwmG9xMKWxnoWdWibZSB\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oQZwmG9xMKWxnoWdWibZSB slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her own job was arguably the most important one, pulling hard up the Voie Camillien-Houde, the main climb of the 13.3km Montreal circuit, to set up Vollering\u2019s attack with 38km to go.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That pull had to be as long as possible. So I went all-out there. When Demi attacked, I looked back, and there was really nobody left in the wheel, so I thought, \u2018okay, it was hard enough\u2019,&#8221; said the 24-year-old.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then I dropped back to the group with Kasia. I didn\u2019t have to do much more, but I also was really exhausted. At one point, I saw we were getting closer and tried to disrupt the chase a bit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;When she passed me, I was like: Allez, Marlen!&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering gracefully deals with the indignity of being caught during World Championships time trial<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Demi Vollering set to lead a Dutch women\u2019s 2026 UCI Road World Championship squad surprisingly lacking two former winners<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Dutch star secures first road title in illustrious career at World Road Championships women&#8217;s road race 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After that, with her leader up the road, Pieterse had a free pass in the groups behind, but the lead-out had taken so much out of her that she couldn\u2019t follow the moves in the final.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was here that her leader was caught by Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Poland) and Elisa Longo Borhgini (Italy), forced to chase down the latter after she attacked, and then hold onto the former when she tried to drop her on the final kicker. In the end, a sprint between the Dutch rider and the Pole saw Volelring still emerge victorious, even if it wasn&#8217;t from plan A.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;After my lead-out, I was still in a good position to get a result myself. If I\u2019d had a bit more left, maybe I could have stayed with the others longer, maybe helped Demi a bit or even sprint for a podium myself,&#8221; said Pieterse<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I didn\u2019t completely sacrifice my own chances, but you know that if you do the lead-out, certainly on the flatter part of the climb, it costs a lot of energy. I think that the women with the most endurance stood on the podium today, and for me it was still a bit too hard.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By the time she reached the finish, Pieterse wasn&#8217;t completely exhausted, though, still able to execute a few wheelies to entertain the Montreal crowds on the finishing straight, before joining up with an emotional, elated Vollering, and celebrating huge success for the Dutch.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-34fbe6c6-ba83-11f1-b55e-03e9329b6b50\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The Dutch team celebrate winning the world title with coach Ten Dam <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-34fbebee-ba83-11f1-8950-1f56be7a1fe3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of both the UCI Road and Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-oQZwmG9xMKWxnoWdWibZSB\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-oQZwmG9xMKWxnoWdWibZSB slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio slice-container-authorBio\" id=\"slice-container-authorBio\" data-component-name=\"Slice:AuthorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-author-bio-max-height=\"250\" data-author-bio-read-more=\"Read more\" data-author-bio-read-less=\"Read less\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">\n<p>Lukas Kn\u00f6fler<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Lukas\u00a0Kn\u00f6fler started working in cycling communications in 2013 and has seen the inside of the scene from many angles. Having worked as press officer for teams and races and written for several online and print publications, he has been Cyclingnews\u2019 Women\u2019s WorldTour correspondent since 2018.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Job&#8217;s not finished&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering keeping quiet on game plan as she leads Dutch squad at Road World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s the biggest victory of my career&#8217; &#8211; Demi Vollering&#8217;s team-based plan pays off with title in World Championship road race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Road World Championships: Demi Vollering outsprints Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney to first world title in women&#8217;s elite road race after gripping final lap duel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;When she passed me, I was like: Allez, Marlen!&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering gracefully deals with the indignity of being caught during World Championships time trial<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Demi Vollering set to lead a Dutch women\u2019s 2026 UCI Road World Championship squad surprisingly lacking two former winners<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Dutch star secures first road title in illustrious career at World Road Championships women&#8217;s road race 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Yes, the favourite won, but the Women&#8217;s World Championships road race was a thriller where everyone was racing for the win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e8eaSgfP4rmNX25tvp85tA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e8eaSgfP4rmNX25tvp85tA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e8eaSgfP4rmNX25tvp85tA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e8eaSgfP4rmNX25tvp85tA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e8eaSgfP4rmNX25tvp85tA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Gravel World Series: Femke Markus and Magnus Bak Klaris take solo victories at Gravel Grit &#8216;n Grind<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJRknF2nFY9scUARF5a7mf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJRknF2nFY9scUARF5a7mf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJRknF2nFY9scUARF5a7mf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJRknF2nFY9scUARF5a7mf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AJRknF2nFY9scUARF5a7mf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Virginia&#8217;s Blue Ridge GO Cross: Manon Bakker and Tofik Beshir solo to victories in Roanoke<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bEhu4npypaW6kkyGxoA77o-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bEhu4npypaW6kkyGxoA77o-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bEhu4npypaW6kkyGxoA77o-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bEhu4npypaW6kkyGxoA77o-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bEhu4npypaW6kkyGxoA77o-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Positive medical updates provided for those worst affected by horror crash in World Championships women&#8217;s road race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mad5vM2S4dN7zeQYpiXyWD-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mad5vM2S4dN7zeQYpiXyWD-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mad5vM2S4dN7zeQYpiXyWD-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mad5vM2S4dN7zeQYpiXyWD-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mad5vM2S4dN7zeQYpiXyWD-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI hits Demi Vollering with hefty fine and yellow card for position on the bike after World Championships triumph in Montreal<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CrTGuJjP85WjMJoVWT44SA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CrTGuJjP85WjMJoVWT44SA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CrTGuJjP85WjMJoVWT44SA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CrTGuJjP85WjMJoVWT44SA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CrTGuJjP85WjMJoVWT44SA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There is definitely a beauty of having a competitor that&#8217;s so strong&#8217; &#8211; Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney second best in explosive battle against Dutch rival at Road World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m satisfied with my effort, but I&#8217;m not happy at all&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro does not hide disappointment at missing out on gold at World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NpdbJJc7G3mMX2oXgsk2i8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NpdbJJc7G3mMX2oXgsk2i8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NpdbJJc7G3mMX2oXgsk2i8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NpdbJJc7G3mMX2oXgsk2i8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NpdbJJc7G3mMX2oXgsk2i8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tom Pidcock ditches trade team wheels in favour of upgrade at Road World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HW5pMpVuhNLp7TDVZjC5aT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HW5pMpVuhNLp7TDVZjC5aT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HW5pMpVuhNLp7TDVZjC5aT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HW5pMpVuhNLp7TDVZjC5aT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HW5pMpVuhNLp7TDVZjC5aT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Will we see Mathieu van der Poel again in 2026? Worlds bronze medallist declares his road season is over, with doubts over cyclo-cross campaign<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wRaVmC3SoEXPU3FPaiSfj7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wRaVmC3SoEXPU3FPaiSfj7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wRaVmC3SoEXPU3FPaiSfj7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wRaVmC3SoEXPU3FPaiSfj7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wRaVmC3SoEXPU3FPaiSfj7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Racing without earpieces always makes for the best races&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel nabs bronze in chaotic Worlds road race in Montreal<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AXjNhCaYcqH7gHpCkzNcSd-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AXjNhCaYcqH7gHpCkzNcSd-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AXjNhCaYcqH7gHpCkzNcSd-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AXjNhCaYcqH7gHpCkzNcSd-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AXjNhCaYcqH7gHpCkzNcSd-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I thought my career was done twice in the last two years&#8217; \u2013 Gutsy ride sees Michael Matthews bounce back to make &#8216;dream come true&#8217; with World Championships silver medal<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oZF5dyP6zWTzohxrPnuhAV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oZF5dyP6zWTzohxrPnuhAV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oZF5dyP6zWTzohxrPnuhAV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oZF5dyP6zWTzohxrPnuhAV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oZF5dyP6zWTzohxrPnuhAV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I feel sorry for the result&#8217; &#8211; Giulio Ciccone says Italy deserved a medal at Montreal Worlds, but he had nothing left to give<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5cdcS8fVk3NFwUe4PLXEmN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I&#8217;m satisfied with my effort, but I&#8217;m not happy at all&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro does not hide disappointment at missing out on gold at World Championships<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tom Pidcock ditches trade team wheels in favour of upgrade at Road World Championships<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Early access: Watch our video review of the Factor Elara before it goes live on YouTube<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Will we see Mathieu van der Poel again in 2026? Worlds bronze medallist declares his road season is over, with doubts over cyclo-cross campaign<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Lennart Jasch charges to top of Gunung Jerai to claim stage 2 of Le Tour de Langkawi and leap into the overall lead<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUCI Road World Championships\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;I looked back, and there was really nobody left&#8217; \u2013 Puck Pieterse plays crucial role for Demi Vollering in united Dutch performance at World Championships<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nLukas Kn\u00f6fler <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-09-27T14:53:31Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 September 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Multi-discipline star finishes sixth after providing main lead-out for Dutch rider, who was eventually caught, but still took victory<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-34fbe540-ba83-11f1-a6e9-39a2e08ef51e\">After her sixth-place finish in the women\u2019s elite road race at the UCI Road World Championships, Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) flew through the mixed zone on her bike, shouting &#8220;I\u2019ll come back&#8221; to the waiting journalists. The reason became apparent when the whole Dutch team, including national coach Laurens ten Dam, joined newly-crowned World Champion Demi Vollering on the podium to celebrate the victory after a united team performance.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It was super cool; everybody was happy for each other. We put quite some pressure on ourselves; we had an ambitious plan, but there was also a lot of pressure from the media,&#8221; said Pieterse on her second pass of the mixed zone, once the podium celebrations were over.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-34fbe540-ba83-11f1-a6e9-39a2e08ef51e-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The Netherlands are really quite dominant in women\u2019s cycling, but then, coming to the World Championships, everything has to come together. Demi has to have a very good day, all the others also need to have a good day to perform their tasks. But I think we showed a lot of confidence throughout the race, and that helped Demi as well,&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In previous years, the Dutch national selection had had several leaders who often could not agree on who to support during the race, sometimes to their own detriment. But on Saturday, the orange-clad team rode as one to support Vollering\u2019s goal of her first-ever rainbow jersey \u2013 a decision made easier by Vollering\u2019s domination throughout the season.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Everybody had the same goal. I think that was the case in the past too, but then there were several riders with big wins throughout the season,&#8221; said Pieterse. &#8220;Now it was clear, when one rider wins the Tour, Flanders, Li\u00e8ge, Fl\u00e8che Wallonne, well, that\u2019s your leader.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L6s44a9yi8gPBCXHcaVTBj-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Job&#8217;s not finished&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering keeping quiet on game plan as she leads Dutch squad at Road World Championships<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eo5bkmFSY9e4FcpTsoK8ZQ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It&#8217;s the biggest victory of my career&#8217; &#8211; Demi Vollering&#8217;s team-based plan pays off with title in World Championship road race<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MAM5hc3AzpqiBh7faUKxVh-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">UCI Road World Championships: Demi Vollering outsprints Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney to first world title in women&#8217;s elite road race after gripping final lap duel<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Amber Kraak, Femke de Vries, Riejanne Markus, Lieke Nooijen, and Karlijn Swinkels controlled the race for a long time, with three Dutch riders at the front of the peloton for most of the race until a first tentative move was made by France\u2019s Ma\u00ebva Squiban in the last 55km.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At one point, it became a bit harder, about a lap before [Vollering\u2019s attack]. We didn\u2019t have the numbers and Squiban went away,&#8221; added Pietersen. &#8220;But we stuck to our plan, we had the idea that we would make our move with three laps to go, and that\u2019s what we did.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oQZwmG9xMKWxnoWdWibZSB\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oQZwmG9xMKWxnoWdWibZSB slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her own job was arguably the most important one, pulling hard up the Voie Camillien-Houde, the main climb of the 13.3km Montreal circuit, to set up Vollering\u2019s attack with 38km to go.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That pull had to be as long as possible. So I went all-out there. When Demi attacked, I looked back, and there was really nobody left in the wheel, so I thought, \u2018okay, it was hard enough\u2019,&#8221; said the 24-year-old.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then I dropped back to the group with Kasia. I didn\u2019t have to do much more, but I also was really exhausted. At one point, I saw we were getting closer and tried to disrupt the chase a bit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hnZEQyjRu8eQ9jqSq7gVTn-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;When she passed me, I was like: Allez, Marlen!&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering gracefully deals with the indignity of being caught during World Championships time trial<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5g8854qYxXYe8qq6YXNeLV-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Demi Vollering set to lead a Dutch women\u2019s 2026 UCI Road World Championship squad surprisingly lacking two former winners<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KqCmLDk7N52XeJa83N8ADa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Dutch star secures first road title in illustrious career at World Road Championships women&#8217;s road race 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After that, with her leader up the road, Pieterse had a free pass in the groups behind, but the lead-out had taken so much out of her that she couldn\u2019t follow the moves in the final.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was here that her leader was caught by Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Poland) and Elisa Longo Borhgini (Italy), forced to chase down the latter after she attacked, and then hold onto the former when she tried to drop her on the final kicker. In the end, a sprint between the Dutch rider and the Pole saw Volelring still emerge victorious, even if it wasn&#8217;t from plan A.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;After my lead-out, I was still in a good position to get a result myself. If I\u2019d had a bit more left, maybe I could have stayed with the others longer, maybe helped Demi a bit or even sprint for a podium myself,&#8221; said Pieterse<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I didn\u2019t completely sacrifice my own chances, but you know that if you do the lead-out, certainly on the flatter part of the climb, it costs a lot of energy. I think that the women with the most endurance stood on the podium today, and for me it was still a bit too hard.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By the time she reached the finish, Pieterse wasn&#8217;t completely exhausted, though, still able to execute a few wheelies to entertain the Montreal crowds on the finishing straight, before joining up with an emotional, elated Vollering, and celebrating huge success for the Dutch.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-34fbe6c6-ba83-11f1-b55e-03e9329b6b50\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7q7GeiehvNmYvhrpa8UiwN-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The Dutch team celebrate winning the world title with coach Ten Dam <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-34fbebee-ba83-11f1-8950-1f56be7a1fe3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of both the UCI Road and Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/i-looked-back-and-there-was-really-nobody-left-puck-pieterse-plays-crucial-role-for-demi-vollering-in-united-dutch-performance-at-world-championships\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u7FLayvSUHR6EggwNvM4K5-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 UCI hits Demi Vollering with hefty fine and yellow card for position on the bike after World Championships triumph in Montreal 2 As it happened: Dutch star secures first road title in illustrious career at World Road Championships women&#8217;s road race 2026 3 UCI Road World Championships: Demi Vollering outsprints Kasia [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2167665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2167665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2167665"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2167665\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2167665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2167665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2167665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}