CYCLO CROSS

It was all-Dutch podium at the World Championships elite’s women race in Hulst, with two FENIX-Premier Tech riders on it. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado finished second, and Puck Pieterse third. 

After a strong start in which she took the lead, Alvarado sensed she might be outpowered by Lucinda Brand (Baloise Verzekeringen–Het Poetsbureau Lion). “Half-way through the race it was a bit clear that it was going to be a hard day for me. When she (Brand) went the second time, I didn’t have the response,” said the 27-year-old Dutch champion. “It wasn’t the best pair of legs of the season, but I had to deal with it. I think I did my best to make the best out of it.” 

Meanwhile, Pieterse, who had been one of the most combative and active riders, crashed on a deep descend and had to change her bike. “I crashed on my head, and I had to get my rhythm again because after that it wasn’t easy anymore,” said the 23-year-old. She then had to fight her way back through a large group amin for third place. “You come here to win, so I’m not ok with third (place). But in the end, seeing the circumstances, I’m happy I could still finish it off for a full Dutch podium. I think that after the season I rode, I also belong on the podium and I’m at least happy that I’m there and that I have another medal.”

A perfect weekend of cyclocross for Puck Pieterse, who won her second UCI World Cup race in two days. In the technical course of Hoogerheide, the Dutch rider used her tactical skills and took advantage of a small lead in the last lap to cross the finish line first. 

“I had the feeling I was quicker on the corners after the big bridge, so I wanted to be in front and go there because I didn’t want to sprint either against Amandine [Fouquenet] or [Kristýna] Zemanová,” said Pieterse.  

She won the GP Adrie van der Poel in 51 minutes and 54 seconds ahead of Zemanová (VIF Cycling Team) and Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw CT).  

With Hoogerheide being the last round of the 2025-2026 UCI World Cup, and after winning yesterday’s race in Maasmechelen, Pieterse was pleased with her “perfect weekend.” “I hadn’t had one yet, so cool to do it now,” she said. 

Next week, Pieterse will be heading to Hulst, where she will compete in the UCI World Championships. 

Puck Pieterse soloed to her first 2025-2026 UCI World Cup victory in Maasmechelen, Belgium. “It’s a big relief to win a World Cup again, last cyclo-cross season I couldn’t win one and it made me realize how special it is as well in ‘cross to win a World Cup,” she said after the race. 

“The last two weeks weren’t the easiest after Nationals. I’m happy that everything fell into place,” explained the 23-year-old Dutch rider. 

Ten seconds after Pieterse, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado outsprinted Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw Cycling Team) taking the second place. A well deserved and hard-fought 1-2 podium for FENIX-Premier Tech team. 

Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado claimed her second Dutch cyclocross national title, which she had already won in 2020. This victory in Huijbergen, Alvarado said, showed that she is almost back to her top form after the beginning of her CX season was marked by a knee injury and illness. 

“In the end, it’s my job. And I just really love doing it. I simply always have hope that things will get better. Of course, I also draw a lot of hope from my faith. That God will carry me through. That makes the red-white-blue even more special,” explained Alvarado in an interview. 

Her FENIX-Premier Tech teammate and 2025 Dutch champion, Puck Pieterse, crossed second the finish line, followed by Lucinda Brand (Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Poetsbureau Lions). Alvarado and Pieterse had gone head-to-head until mid race, when Alvarado went solo and was never caught again.  

FENIX-Premier Tech rider Yara Kastelijn finished 15th, while Puck Langenbarg finished 4th in the U23 category. 

Back-to-back victory for Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado amid the snow and ice in Zonhoven, where the ninth race of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup was hosted. Her fellow FENIX- Premier Tech rider and Dutch champion, Puck Pieterse, finished third. 

It was a chaotic and demanding race, where riders faced the famous sandy pit section known as the Kuil van Zonhoven. The course, which was also muddy and covered in snow, was marked by falls and mistakes. 

 “I made many mistakes along the way, and I think I was riding too long with the wrong tires. It was really slippery for me, but I never gave up. But the mistakes were crucial today,” said Alvarado. She crossed the finished line with a 23-second gap from Lucina Brand (Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Poetsbureau Lions) and 49 seconds ahead of Pieterse. 

“Zonhoven delivered as always. An epic battle in a winter wonderland made this victory definitely unforgettable,” concluded Alvarado. 

Pieterse, who had a great start and led the race early on, smiled when talking about the first crash in the sand pit. “It was quite funny. I survived the first time in the sand pit. We go in the second time; I catch a wrong drop and go OTB, and I’m like ‘I made a mistake and everyone will pass me.’ Then first I see Lucinda crash and I’m like ‘ok, I’m not the only one’ and then Ceylin crashes, and I had to laugh that we all three fell. But it shows how hectic a start like this can be.” 

Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado started the year with a spectacular win under the snow in Mol, Belgium. The victory at Exact Cross is her first of 2025-2026 cyclocross season, which she started late because of a persistent knee injury. 

The Dutch rider crossed the finish line solo after having battled with Manon Bakker (Crelan-Corendon) during the fifth lap, where she managed to open and gain 12-second gap. This was also the lap where it started to snow heavily.  

“The conditions surprised me a little bit; I thought it was going to rain, but it started to snow. It made it also hard seeing the lines in the sand with all that snow, but I think it’s an extra,” said Alvarado in a post-race interview. 

FENIX-Deceuninick rider Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado inaugurated her 2025-2026 cyclocross season with a third place at the UCI World Cup in Flamanville, France. The race marked her comeback after recovering from a knee injury.

“I suffered today, but I gave everything I had. You can’t do more than that. If it results in third place, I’m pleased,” said Alvarado.

After missing two months of the season, the FENIX-Deceuninick rider started on the second line and battled her way to the top five positions, quickly matching the fastest lap times throughout the course.

The Flamaville World Cup was won by Aniek Van Alphen (Seven Racing), who dominated the the race. “Aniek was outstanding. Halfway through, I thought that the first place was already gone. Of course, I tried, but I didn’t have the legs to ride faster than I did. Also, she deserve it,” said Alvarado of her road season teammate.

Four FENIX-Deceuninck riders lined up at Telenet Superpestige Gullegem and all delivered top and strong performances. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado earned a hard-fought third place in a race that saw her leading the first four laps. Her teammates Yara Kastelijn, Puck Langenbarg and Marthe Truyen finished 8^th, 10^th at 11^th respectively.

With these results, Alvarado slipped by one point to second place in the Superprestige standings. The series’ winner will be decided in the eight and final race in Middelkerke, which will take place on February 8.

A nearly perfect race in the sands dunes of Koksijde led Puck Pieterse to a spectacular solo victory, her first of the season. She dominated the X20 Trophy course from the start, steadily incrementing her lead after the first lap and a half.

The 22-year-old FENIX-Deceuninck rider crossed the finish line 20 seconds ahead of Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lion) and almost 40 ahead of Fem Van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike).

“I felt great on the bike today. My form has been improving over the past races, and I’m incredibly happy to win again! I think I’m slowly getting ready for the championships,” said Pieterse.

Her teammate Marthe Truyen finished in 8th place, after only her 6th race of the season.

X2O Trofee Baal GP Sven Nys, the first CX race of 2025, saw Puck Pieterse cross the finish line third. She had a perfect start and led the race before a crash set her back. 

“This was the first cross (race) where I felt like a cyclocross rider again. I could compete for the win, and I think it was one of the most exciting races so far. I got sick after Gavere, so I didn’t know how it would go today. But apparently lying in bed all day did my form good,” said Pieterse. 

Baal also marked the FENIX-Deceuninck debut of Puck Langenbarg, who signed a four-year contract with the team. At 18 years old, the reigning European junior road champion will continue developing her skills while combining cyclocross and road racing.