History

In the world of cycling, there are names that stick, stories that are passed on for generations. One of those names is Piet Damen, a cycling legend from Lieshout and the oldest living Dutch professional cyclist. But what makes it so special? His impressive victory in the 1958 Peace Race, a feat that no other Dutchman has ever imitated. The Peace Race: The Tour de France of the Eastern Bloc The Peace Race, also known as the "Internationale Friedensfahrt", was one of the most prestigious cycling races in the former Eastern Bloc. At a time when the Cold War divided...

Cyclocross riders have been trudging through the winter for more than a centuryor The story goes that around 1900, during races from village to village, it didn't matter much which road you took. So the real tough guys opted for the shortest route, through fields, forests, and ditches in a straight line to the next village. Cyclocross, also known as cyclocross, was born. The French military man Daniel Gousseau is referred to as the founder of cyclocross as a sport. The bicycle was also a military means of transport around 1900, and his corps of cyclists sought ways to keep...

Born on March 23rd, 1937, in the Zeeland village of Schore, De Roo would become one of the most versatile and respected cyclists of his generation. His cycling career, marked by triumphs and victories, left a lasting impression on the sport. Early years and rise De Roo's love of cycling began in his youth, where he quickly gained notoriety in local races. At the age of seventeen, he rode his first race in the amateurs. During the 1957 Olympia's Tour, Jo de Roo won the second stage from Steenwijk to Eindhoven. At that time he was affiliated with the 'Theo...

Raymond Poulidor (1936-2019) also known as "Poupou" and "the eternal second" was a French cyclist of the Mercier team. Due to strong rivals such as Jacques Anquetil and later Eddy Merckx, he never managed to achieve victory in the Tour de France, but instead often took second or third place, earning him the nickname "the eternal second." Although never a winner of the final classification of the Tour de France, Poupou did win many other races, including the Vuelta a España and the Tour of Switzerland.   Raymond Poulidor 1966 Favorite of the public Raymond's likeable demeanour quickly made him...

In the late 19th century, an era often described as the Victorian era, a remarkable shift began to take place in the way women participated in society. One of the striking aspects of this change was the emergence of women into the world of cycling in the 1890s. The bicycle, considered a revolutionary means of transportation at the time, offered women a new level of freedom and mobility. It was a time when women began to break away from traditional gender roles and increasingly turned to activities previously considered "inappropriate." woman cyclist in 1897 The Age of Emancipation and rise...

In honour of Jaap Eden's 150th birthday, we dive into the history of this renowned Dutch sportsman and spotlight athlete. This phenomenal athlete, who became world champion on both bicycle and skating, has left a lasting mark on Dutch sports history. Jaap Eden, born Oct. 19, 1873, in Groningen, Netherlands, was a fascinating figure both on and off the sports field. Despite his unparalleled athletic achievements, his personal life was far from simple and had many challenges.