Is this the next Dutch cycling superstar?

Darren van Bekkum may have been an unfamiliar name to many until his transfer to Astana Qazaqstan, but the 22-year-old Dutch climber is now poised for a breakthrough in the coming years. Having previously ridden for the Visma | Lease a Bike development team, Van Bekkum has already demonstrated his potential, and those around him believe his future is bright. The young rider shares that confidence.

This comes during a perido where there is some unrest about where the next star of Dutch cycling is coming from, after Mathieu van der Poel.

Despite his current trajectory, Van Bekkum hasn’t been in the cycling world for long. He only started cycling in 2019, at the age of 17, after receiving his first bike. Enthusiastic to compete, he faced the unfortunate timing of the coronavirus pandemic, which delayed his entry into competitive racing. This slowed his rise, but his development since then has been rapid. Although 22 may seem older compared to some of today’s top cycling talents, Van Bekkum has wasted no time in showcasing his potential.

In an interview with Wielerrevue, Van Bekkum discussed his rapid rise: “I have always had the physiological predisposition for endurance sports, and as a second-year junior, it was my goal to belong to the top of the Netherlands, but that year almost all races were cancelled due to COVID,” he explained. His breakthrough came thanks to a tip from the father of Mischa Bredewold, who suggested Van Bekkum participate in a selection for the Dutch Cycling Federation.

Van Bekkum impressed at the KNWU selection camp, despite being relatively unknown at the time. “I arrived as a rookie, nobody knew me. I just rammed uphill three times as hard as I could,” he recalled. His performance shattered all junior records, catching the attention of major teams. Soon after, Van Bekkum was riding for the small team WV Eemland, but his raw power was undeniable, faster than all the riders from Metec during the same test.

Now part of Astana Qazaqstan, Van Bekkum is ready to dream big. His ultimate goal? “Even when I was not yet cycling, I was already watching the Tour de France. It was my goal to win the Tour de France one day, and it still is.”

With van Bekkum’s climbing skills and ambition, his future looks incredibly promising, and Dutch fans could get excited about this young star.