Henk Nijdam

Hendrik " Henk " Nijdam ( born September 26, 1935 in Eelderwolde, † April 30, 2009 in Breda ) was a Dutch cyclist.

His first victory in the amateurs scored Nijdam until the age of 21 in 1957 - followed by a further nine successes in amateur races. In 1960 he was the first time Dutch champion in Track Cycling and competed in the One and Team Pursuit at the Summer Olympic Games in Rome in 1960, where he finished fifth with the Dutch team of four. As one persecutor he was able to win the silver medal for 2nd place at the World Championships in Leipzig in 1960. In the same discipline he was two -time world champion: 1961 in the amateurs and 1962 as a professional driver.

Prior to his professional career began in 1962, he could still the Olympias Tour ( Holland Tour ) and a stage of the International Peace Race win, where he had to retire prematurely in the yellow jersey of the overall First because of a fall with broken collarbone. Almost fit again he took as Independent ( Independent ) on the Tour de l' Avenir in part, and then won the Dutch Cup in 5000 - m pursuit riders of professionals, as well as 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967.

1963 won Nijdam in the individual pursuit behind Leandro Faggin and Peter Post again bronze. After the birth of his son in 1963, he played mainly road race. He took part in six of the Tour de France and won 1964 and 1966 each have a stage, only in 1965 was able to place as the 50th and 1966 as a 73 overall. In his last participation in the Tour de France 1969 Nijdam received a time penalty of 15 minutes due to doping. In the Vuelta 1966, he decided three stages for itself - won a total of 23 road race as a professional driver.

1962 Nijdam was named in his home country Athlete of the Year. His son Jelle was also later professional cyclists, the Tour de France in 1987 and 1988 on three stages could wear the yellow jersey.