Famous Dutch Cyclists

Mathieu van der Poel is a Dutch professional cyclist competing in cyclo-cross, mountain biking, and road racing. Riding for UCI WorldTeam Alpecin–Deceuninck, he has achieved notable success in various disciplines. Van der Poel has claimed six Cyclo-cross World Championships and one Road World Championship. He has also secured victories in multiple grand tour stages and classics, including the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and Milan–San Remo. With a strong family legacy in cycling, van der Poel continues to make a significant impact in the professional cycling world.

Puck Moonen is a Dutch cyclist who has competed for UCI Women's Continental Team Chevalmeire and previously for Lotto Soudal. She left Lotto Soudal due to a knee injury. In 2019, Moonen became a spokesperson for Buddy Network, an anti-bullying campaign supported by Cartoon Network and Awel, a Dutch-language Belgian helpline for children. Throughout her career, Moonen has showcased her talent and dedication in the competitive world of cycling, while also advocating for important social causes like anti-bullying initiatives.

Tom Dumoulin is a retired Dutch professional road bicycle racer known for his time-trialing ability and climbing skills. He won the Giro d'Italia and achieved success in various Grand Tours and World Championships. Notable career highlights include leading the 2016 Giro d'Italia and winning stages in the Tour de France. In 2017, he became the first Dutch winner of the Giro d'Italia and later won the time trial at the UCI Road World Championships. Dumoulin also had strong performances in the 2018 Giro d'Italia and Tour de France before announcing his retirement in 2022.

Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado is a highly accomplished cyclist from the Netherlands, known for her expertise in both cyclo-cross and road cycling. She competes for UCI Cyclo-cross Team Alpecin–Deceuninck and UCI Women's Continental Team Fenix–Deceuninck. Alvarado's impressive career highlights include winning gold in the UEC European Cyclo-cross Championships in 2018 and 2019 in the Under-23 category, as well as becoming the world champion in the elite category at the 2020 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Switzerland. Her consistent success and dedication to the sport have solidified her reputation as a top cyclist in the international cycling scene.

Lucinda Brand is a highly accomplished Dutch racing cyclist known for her success in both road racing and cyclo-cross. She currently rides for UCI Women's WorldTeam Lidl–Trek and UCI Cyclo-cross Pro Team Baloise–Trek Lions. Brand has had significant stints with various professional cycling teams, including Rabo–Liv and Team Sunweb, where she played key roles as a team leader and road captain. In addition to her competitive career, Brand has also ventured into content creation by co-hosting the cycling-focused podcast Dirty Talks with Maghalie Rochette.

Marianne Vos is a highly accomplished Dutch cyclist, competing in multiple disciplines at the highest level. She has achieved remarkable success in road racing, cyclo-cross, and track racing, earning numerous World Championships and Olympic gold medals. Vos has also excelled in prestigious races such as the Giro Donne and La Flèche Wallonne, consistently ranking among the top cyclists in the UCI rankings. As a prominent advocate for women's cycling, she played a key role in promoting gender equality in the sport.

Fabio Jakobsen is a prominent Dutch cyclist known for his impressive professional career. He competes at the highest level of cycling as a member of UCI WorldTeam Team DSM–Firmenich PostNL. Throughout his career, Jakobsen has showcased his exceptional skills and determination, earning numerous victories and accolades. He is recognized for his speed, agility, and strategic racing tactics, making him a formidable competitor in the world of cycling. Jakobsen continues to inspire fans and fellow cyclists with his passion for the sport and unwavering commitment to success.

Anna van der Breggen is a Dutch former professional road bicycle racer known for her versatility and success in both one-day classics and stage races, especially on hilly terrain. Throughout her career, she rode for renowned teams such as Team Flexpoint, Sengers Ladies Cycling Team, Rabo–Liv, and SD Worx. She achieved numerous victories, including an Olympic gold medal in 2016, multiple Giro d'Italia Femminile wins, and triumphs in prestigious races like La Flèche Wallonne, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and the UCI Road World Championships. Van der Breggen retired in 2021 and now serves as a directeur sportif for Team SD Worx–Protime.

Adri van der Poel was a renowned Dutch cyclist who had a successful professional career spanning from 1981 to 2000. Throughout his career, he achieved significant victories, including winning six classics, two stages of the Tour de France, and the World Cyclo-Cross Championships in 1996. He also secured a silver medal in the World Road Championships in 1983 and obtained five second places in the World Cyclo-Cross Championships. Van der Poel's impressive achievements led to the naming of the Grand Prix Adrie van der Poel in his honor.

Joop Zoetemelk is a Dutch former professional racing cyclist known for his remarkable achievements in the Tour de France, including setting records for both the most starts (16) and the longest distance ridden (62,885 km). He won the 1979 Vuelta a España and the 1980 Tour de France, with a total of eleven top 5 finishes in the Tour. Zoetemelk was a skilled climber, donning the polka dot jersey as King of the Mountains. Despite a doping infraction in 1977, he remained a consistent top performer in multiple championships.

Dylan Groenewegen is a prominent Dutch professional road racing cyclist competing for UCI WorldTeam Team Jayco–AlUla. Known for his sprinting prowess, he has achieved notable success with six individual stage wins in the Tour de France, victories at the Dutch National Road Race Championships, and multiple stage wins in races like the Tour of Norway, Tour of Britain, and Paris–Nice. Despite his accomplishments, Groenewegen faced controversy and a ban following a serious crash at the Tour de Pologne in 2020.

Denise Betsema is a prominent Dutch cyclo-cross cyclist, known for her impressive career in the sport. She competes for the UCI Cyclo-cross team Pauwels Sauzen–Bingoal, showcasing her exceptional talents on the track. With a strong determination and skill set, Betsema has established herself as a fierce competitor in the cyclo-cross world. Her dedication to the sport and consistent performances have earned her a respected reputation among fans and fellow cyclists alike. Betsema continues to push boundaries and achieve success in her professional cycling career.

Annemiek van Vleuten is a highly accomplished Dutch professional road racing cyclist. Throughout her career, she has achieved remarkable success, including winning multiple UCI Road World Championships in both road race and time trial events. Van Vleuten has also excelled in the Olympic Games, securing gold and silver medals in cycling events. She has dominated women's cycling Grand Tours, winning prestigious races such as the Giro Donne and La Vuelta Femenina. With numerous victories in stage races and one-day events, she is recognized as one of the greatest female cyclists of all time. Van Vleuten retired in 2023 after a stellar cycling career.

Ellen van Dijk is a Dutch professional road racing cyclist known for her expertise in time trials. She has achieved significant success in both road and track cycling, winning multiple world championships and European titles. Van Dijk transitioned from speed skating to cycling in her youth, eventually focusing full-time on cycling after excelling in national competitions. She has competed in various disciplines at top events like the Olympic Games, contributing to team successes and achieving impressive individual results, solidifying her reputation as a dominant force in the cycling world.

Jan Janssen, a Dutch former professional cyclist, achieved significant success during his career from 1962 to 1972. He made history by becoming the first Dutch rider to win both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. Janssen participated in the Tour de France eight times, winning seven stages and donning the yellow jersey twice. Known for his distinctive blond hair and glasses, he remains the oldest surviving Tour de France winner following the passing of Federico Bahamontes.

Hennie Kuiper was a highly successful Dutch professional road racing cyclist, known for his achievements in major competitions such as the Olympic road race and the world professional road race. He won a gold medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics and became world professional road race champion in 1975. Kuiper also secured victories in four out of the five "Monument" classics and participated in the Tour de France 12 times, finishing as runner-up twice. He is one of the few cyclists to have triumphed in both the Olympic road race and the world professional road race.

Lorena Wiebes is a successful Dutch racing cyclist, currently representing UCI Women's WorldTeam Team SD Worx–Protime. She has showcased her talent and skill in several prestigious events, including the UCI Road World Championships and the European Games, where she claimed gold medals. In 2022, Wiebes continued her winning streak by triumphing in the RideLondon Classique and the Tour de France Femmes, demonstrating her prowess in sprinting and endurance. Her consistent victories and strong performances have solidified her reputation as a top contender in the world of professional cycling.

Johan van der Velde, a former Dutch cyclist, had a successful professional career in the world of cycling. Known for his achievements in the Tour de France, he won the young rider classification in 1980 and secured victories in stages during the 1981 and 1986 editions of the race. Van der Velde rode with TI–Raleigh and the Panasonic team during his Tour de France campaigns from 1979 to 1983, leaving a mark with his impressive performances and notable achievements in the prestigious competition.

Kirsten Wild is a Dutch former professional racing cyclist with a successful career spanning from 2004 to 2021. She competed for eight professional teams and achieved significant success in both track and road cycling. Wild participated in multiple Summer Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal in the omnium event. She secured numerous medals at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships and the UEC European Track Championships. Additionally, Wild attained over 100 victories in road racing and clinched two medals at the UCI Road World Championships.

Jan Raas is a Dutch former professional cyclist with 115 wins, including notable victories such as the World Road Race Championship, Tour of Flanders, Paris–Roubaix, and Milan–San Remo. He also won ten stages in the Tour de France and the Amstel Gold Race five times. Raas excelled in the northern classics with his tactical skills and sprinting abilities, although he faced challenges on long steep climbs. Throughout his career, he competed in 23 Monument Races, securing podium finishes in nearly half of them.

Michael Boogerd, a former Dutch professional road bicycle racer, emerged as a prominent figure among Dutch cyclists in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Known for his leadership skills, he was a key member of a successful generation of Dutch cyclists, alongside Erik Dekker and Leontien van Moorsel. Boogerd's career was marked by impressive performances in various road races, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport. His achievements and contributions have left a lasting impact on the cycling community.

Steven Rooks is a former Dutch professional road racing cyclist known for his exceptional climbing skills. He had a successful professional career spanning from 1982 to 1995. Rooks was admired for his ability to excel in mountainous stages, often showcasing his climbing prowess in prestigious races. Throughout his career, he achieved significant victories and was recognized as a talented rider within the cycling community. Rooks left a lasting impact on the sport with his impressive performances and competitive spirit during his time as a professional cyclist.

Daniel Abraham Gebru is a professional cyclist of Dutch-Eritrean descent known for his time with the UCI Continental team BEAT Cycling Club. Throughout his career, he has showcased exceptional skills and dedication to the sport, earning recognition for his impressive performances in various cycling events. With a focus on road cycling, Daniel has consistently strived to push his limits and achieve success on the competitive circuit. His commitment to the sport and perseverance in the face of challenges have made him a respected figure in the professional cycling community.

Gerrie Knetemann was a Dutch road bicycle racer who had a successful professional career. He won the World Championship in 1978 and was known for his Yellow Jersey wins in the Tour de France. Knetemann won a total of 127 races as a professional and was a four-time winner of the Ronde van Nederland. He also had a significant impact on the victory of Joop Zoetemelk in the 1980 Tour de France, with his team winning twelve stages.

Mirjam Melchers-Van Poppel is a retired female racing cyclist from the Netherlands who was a prominent figure in the professional cycling world. Known for her skills as a one-day specialist, she achieved significant success in highly rated races and held the UCI number one ranking at one point. Throughout her career, she won prestigious events such as the GP Feminas Castilla y Leon and the Damesronde van Drenthe. Melchers also showcased her talent by securing a silver medal at the world championship road race in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.