Dutch coach reacts to double gold at Gravel World Championships: “Mathieu and Marianne are such top athletes”

Laurens ten Dam has had a whirlwind week, juggling multiple roles in cycling. The 43-year-old from Bedum, Netherlands, raced in the World Gravel Championships today in Leuven, while also serving as part of the coaching team for the Dutch national squad at last weekend’s World Championship road race in Zurich. With Dutch riders Marianne Vos and Mathieu van der Poel both claiming gold, it’s been a week to remember.

Reflecting on the success of the Dutch riders, Ten Dam expressed his happiness but also hinted that this might be the perfect time to step back. “I better stop now at my peak,” he told Wielerflits. “I am super happy with how they rode, those two top riders. And the rest. I experienced it as fun. It was a top week. It was a pleasant week and we performed. I just don't know if we should continue that exploration, because all the top results came from the riders who weren't there.”

When asked if he felt his contribution helped the gold medals, Ten Dam remained humble. “If you are completely honest, Mathieu and Marianne are such top athletes, with such good support from their teams, I am not going to pat myself on the back for that. But I have received good signals from mountain bikers who normally only get shorts and a shirt, but now said: 'We feel like we really belong'. That is of course nice to hear. That is also a bit of what gravel is.”

Ten Dam also reflected on his own race at the World Gravel Championships, which didn’t go quite as planned. “I rode ninety kilometres, up to here. I was far away after that crazy start, heard that Mathieu was riding in front and was even overtaken by the 19-34 age category. Then I thought: this is the sign to dismount. I went to watch the race in the pub here. It was still exciting, because when I sat down, he was suddenly no longer the only one in front. Then I thought: oh, maybe it was too early. But he was so strong.”

It's been a busy but rewarding week for Ten Dam, whose contributions to the Dutch national team and his participation in the gravel race have marked another chapter in his long and varied cycling career.