Can Mathieu van der Poel or Harrie Lavreysen dislodge Max Verstappen as the number 1 Dutch sportsman?
Cycling
Mathieu van der Poel and Harrie Lavreysen have both been
named finalists for the prestigious Dutch Sportsman of the Year award,
cementing their status as two of the brightest stars in Dutch sport. The
NOC*NSF Sports Gala, where the winner will be revealed, is set to take place on
Wednesday, 18 December, in Arnhem.
Van der Poel’s incredible achievements in 2024 have earned
him his spot in the final four. This year, he claimed his sixth cyclocross
world championship title, showcased his dominance on the road with victory at
the Tour of Flanders, and added yet another feather to his cap by winning the
World Gravel Championship. His versatility and consistency across multiple
disciplines have once again solidified his reputation as one of the greatest
all-around cyclists of his generation.
Lavreysen, meanwhile, has had a historic year of his own,
winning three gold medals in track cycling at the Paris Olympics. His
phenomenal performances on the track underline why he is widely regarded as one
of the best sprinters in cycling history. Lavreysen also has the opportunity to
claim a second award at the Sports Gala, as the Dutch team sprinters are in
contention for the title of Sports Team of the Year.
While cycling features prominently in the men’s category,
the Sportswoman of the Year title will go to a non-cyclist, as none of the
country’s top female riders made the final cut. Notable omissions include Demi
Vollering, Fem van Empel, Lorena Wiebes, Marianne Vos, and Puck Pieterse, all
of whom had remarkable seasons but were overlooked for the award.
Lavreysen was the king of the track in Paris
The competition for the Sportsman of the Year title is
fierce, with Formula 1 star Max Verstappen also among the nominees. Verstappen,
who has dominated motorsport with another stellar season, will be looking to
secure yet another win at the Sports Gala.
The question remains: will it be Van der Poel, Lavreysen, or
Verstappen who takes home the honor and delivers another accolade for Dutch
cycling or motorsport?
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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