Jan Pijnenburg (cyclist)

John Baptist Norbertus "Jan" Pijnenburg (* February 15, 1906 in Tilburg, † December 2, 1979 ) was a Dutch racing cyclist.

Athletes career

January Pijnenburg was one of the most successful and popular racing cyclist of the Netherlands in the 1930s. His love of cycling, he discovered, when he sold to the velodrome in his hometown chocolate. In 1928 he participated in the Olympic Games in Amsterdam part in the team pursuit and won with the train of four the silver medal. The following year, he stepped over to the professionals.

Until the end of 1939 Pijnenburg, the nickname " Kanonbal " and " De Pijn " launched ( ambiguous: abbreviation of the surname, but also for "pain" in Dutch), contributed 50 six-day races, of which he won 17. His most frequent partner were the Dutch Cor Wals and Piet van Kempen. Twice he traveled to race in the USA, where he was very popular with the public, but suffered greatly from homesickness. To date, he is ranked 33 in the eternal ranking of the six-day rider. During his time as an active driver, he organized himself Six days in the Netherlands, so in 1932 in Amsterdam.

Three times Pijnenburg was also Dutch champion in the individual pursuit, but several times could also sprint place in the top three.

On September 9, 1940 Pijnenburg publicly took leave of the cycling career with a race against Gerrit Schulte in 's- Hertogenbosch.

Others

Only when setting up his banns in 1933 January Pijnenburg found to his surprise that he actually three first names - John Baptist Norbertus - and had really Pijnenborg said. And when he had already become known as the " Pijnenburg " he had to change his last name. At the ceremony on May 1, 1933, Tilburg, the rush of onlookers was so large that the police had to restore order.

After his cycling career Pijnenburg opened in Tilburg, the restaurant " Old Dutch ", which was attended by many celebrities, including Clark Gable. In 1950 he worked as sports director at the Tour de France in 1950; but as he did not know about with road cycling, it remained in a season.