Name: Elly Dirkx
Residence: Rotterdam
Age: 63

Since when did you join the Fan Peloton of Team Visma | Lease a Bike? 
"Right from the beginning. I have been following the team since the Rabobank era and support the team through and through. I never expected to become such a cycling fanatic, but my father played a big role in that. Because of him I started watching more and more cycling and at a certain point you automatically become a fan."

Can you give an example of certain things you get extra as a fan? 
"I find the discounts in the webshop interesting. For example, every year Fan Peloton members get an extra discount on the newly designed Tour de France jersey. As a loyal fan, I buy it every year. Furthermore, as a member you get to see a lot of photos and videos that are shared in the Whatsapp group. I like the content they post on it. If you can't follow everything, you can follow it that way. I also find the recipes that are shared helpful."

What do you like most about being a member? 
"I really like the special Whatsapp group of the Giro d'Italia. You have interaction with other people who follow it and you can respond to each other."

Have you been to any of our events? 
"The only event I have been to is Sepp Kuss' inauguration in Move Amsterdam. After he had won the Vuelta, I received an e-mail that I could sign up to attend. I did, and unexpectedly I turned out to be a winner. I was very happy about that. For me, that was really a highlight."

What attracts you to Team Visma | Lease a Bike?
"First of all, the mix of riders and the different nationalities in the team. In addition, I think it's great to see that they always keep going and never give up. Just look at the Giro. Although the first week didn't go well, victories were still achieved with Wout, Olav and Simon. No matter what happens, they just keep going. I think that's really great."

Who are your favorite cyclists on the team? 
"I choose Jonas and Wout. Jonas is integer and quiet. After winning the Tour de France twice, he had an unlucky season last year. It was very impressive that he still finished second. Wout has also had a lot to endure in recent months, but he never gives up and keeps fighting. When he won a stage in the Giro, I really thought: where do you get it from?"

Suppose you were allowed to ask them something. What would you want to know? 
"I would like to know how they combine their sport with their private lives. Jonas and Wout both have two children, but are regularly on altitude training. I can imagine it has a lot of impact on them, since family is the most important thing after all."

Are you an avid cyclist yourself?
"I am a home, garden and kitchen cyclist. I prefer walking to cycling; that's why I love cycling so much. I have a lot of respect for them."

Do you watch all the races? 
"When it's convenient with my work, I try to watch as many races as possible. Not only the races of the WorldTour team, but also of the Development Team and the Women's Team. I follow everything from the team."

What would make membership even better for you? 
"I can't really think of anything. I am very satisfied with the membership."

Do you want to become member of the Fan Peloton? Join it via this link.