| Team | Team Sunweb |
|---|---|
| Nationality | The Netherlands |
| Birth date | November 13, 1980 |
| Rider type | Climber |
| Height | 184 cm |
| Weight | 67 kg |
| Biggest cycling achievement | My 9th place in the 2014 Tour de France |
| 2017 outlook | My young teammates and the positive environment of this team has really inspired me. During the Tour de France last year I realized I wanted to continue racing and I felt that the youngsters could still benefit from my legs and my experience. The signing of Wilco Kelderman has also given me motivation to continue. We’ve got a great GC team this year and I hope to play a big role in making many successes. |
| How do you spend free time? | With lots of “good-life things” like playing with my two kids, going out for dinner, grabbing a coffee, reading books and newspapers, camping, doing outdoor activities, paddleboarding, drinking beer and tasting wine. |
| Your favorite race? | Definitely the Tour de France. I always watched this race as a young boy. It just has something special. Sometimes I’m scared of the Tour. Just like a boxer before stepping into the ring. You know you can get beat up. But the ambiance, surroundings and spectators help you conquer the pain you have during those three weeks. |
| Biggest ambition in cycling | I'd like to win a stage in the Tour de France. |
| On living in the U.S. | I didn’t want to miss it for the world. I had the chance to ride races, mainly off-road, in the USA, which was lots of fun. I could still ride in races I had dreamed of as a younger boy, such as the Tour. In between the races I was also able spend more time with my wife and two boys. |
