Tino Tabak

Jentinus " Tino " Johannes tobacco ( born May 6, 1946 in Enschede ) is a former New Zealand cyclist Dutch origin.

Life

Tino tobacco was born in the Netherlands. When he was six years old, emigrated with his family to New Zealand. At the age of ten years, he dreamed of one day participate in the Tour de France.

1965 Tino Tobacco New Zealand road champion. In the same year he became the youngest rider ever to the Tour of Southland, which he succeeded in 1966 and 1967 again. Tobacco is the only rider to win in a year, the three major New Zealand road race, and twice, in 1966 and 1967.

1967 Tino tobacco went back to Europe and started up in 1970 as an amateur in races. During this time he managed to win at the Ronde van Noord -Holland before the eventual champion Hennie Kuiper. In 1971 he turned professional, started in the Tour de France and placed at two stages in the top ten.

1972 Tino tobacco Dutch road champion before Joop Zoetemelk ( he owned both the New Zealand as well as the Dutch nationality). At the Tour de France in the same year he finished second in the overall standings to 18th place, which is the best result ever for a New Zealander in this race. In the following years he drove numerous smaller road races in Europe and won, among others, in 1975 the eight van Chaam as well as the first edition of the Ronde van Midden- Zeeland.

After a crash in 1978 ended his active career tobacco, which had many successes next posted, even many setbacks for him. In 1995 he returned to New Zealand. Over his career radsportliche he says today: "I've risked everything to win a classic, almost Following Tommy Simpson's fate. It was madness. . Did I can say now " ( German :" I have risked everything to win a classic, I almost followed Tommy Simpson's destiny It was madness I can say now ". .. )

Tino tobacco son Paul has worked as sports director of the Dutch cycling team.