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 the world, this race was more than just a sporting event. It was a politically charged battle, in which riders from the Eastern Bloc often had the upper hand. For riders from the West, winning was almost impossible; the political tensions and the supremacy of Eastern Bloc riders made it a real challenge.
But in 1958, Piet Damen broke through this barrier. On May 2 that year, the eleventh edition of the Peace Race started, a very tough race of 2210 kilometers that started in Warsaw, led via Berlin to Prague. With participants from no less than twenty countries, including superpowers such as the USSR, GDR and Poland, a victory for a Western Bloc rider seemed unlikely. Yet it was Piet who crossed the finish line first, with a total time of 59 hours, 27 minutes and 5 seconds.
The top ten of the final result in 1958:
- Piet Damen (Netherlands)
- Boris Bebenin (USSR)
- Alfons Hermans (Belgium)
- Bojan Kozew (Bulgaria)
- Egon Adler (GDR)
- Pawel Wostrjakow (UDSSR)
- Wiktor Kapitanow (UDSSR)
- Gustav-Adolf Schur (GDR)
- Stan Brittain (England)
- Ivan Levacic (Yugoslavia)
It was a major achievement, and it cemented Damen's name in cycling history.
presentation in Dutch on Piet Damen on his 90th birthday
From Amateur to Pro
After his historic victory, Piet Damen decided to make the switch to professional cycling. Until 1967, he participated in the biggest races, including five times in the Tour de France and once in the Giro d’Italia. His debut in the Tour in 1959 was immediately impressive. Although he had only been a pro for two weeks, he nearly claimed victory in the tough mountain stage to Pau and ultimately finished eleventh in the overall standings – an achievement that many could only dream of.
That same year, he also won the title of Dutch champion on the road, perhaps the highlight of his career. However, his career also faced setbacks. Over time, his rankings declined, and the big breakthrough never came. But Piet always kept cycling, no longer as a pro, but out of pure love for the sport.
A Lifetime of Cycling
After his cycling career, Piet Damen opened a café in Helmond and dealt in bicycles. But his passion for cycling always remained. Even at the age of ninety, he still regularly gets on his bike, as if he had never said goodbye to the sport that had made him great.
In 2024, he celebrated his ninetieth birthday at cycling café De Cyklist, surrounded by family, friends, and cycling fans. It was a moment to reflect on a life full of achievements, stories, and love for the bike.
An Inspiration for Generations
Piet Damen is more than just a cyclist. He is a symbol of perseverance, passion, and the power of sport to break boundaries – both literally and figuratively. His victory in the Peace Race remains a unique achievement in Dutch cycling history, and his life story continues to inspire cycling fans of all ages.
So the next time you get on your bike, think of Piet Damen. Because if anyone has shown what you can achieve with talent and willpower, it is certainly him.