The Klaar Voor De Start Foundation hosted the well-known Dikke Banden Races a few years ago. Team Jumbo-Visma, in collaboration with the Royal Dutch Cycling Union, is now taking over from Klaar Voor De Start. The Dutch cycling team aims for a low barrier entry into cycling for children and their parents.

“With this acquisition, we want to ensure additional growth in cycling’s youth categories”, says Richard Plugge, general manager of Team Jumbo-Visma. “Numerous children raced through Dutch streets during the Dikke Banden Races, getting a first taste of the magic of cycling. They thought they were stars, stood on the podium with flowers and some made the step to real cycling. The influx of young people into cycling was huge, partly thanks to the Dikke Banden Races. With our Academy and the Royal Dutch Cycling Union, we are well on the way to creating new growth for our sport. Think of school clinics, open training courses and club support. Last year we launched Ready2Race for adults, making it possible to participate in cycling races in an accessible way. This year, Ready2Race Junior, for 11 to 15 year olds, and Ready2Race Dikke Banden Race, for 2 to 10 year olds, are added to that concept. I am pleased with this new impulse for cycling in the Netherlands.”

Royal Dutch Cycling Union director Thorwald Veneberg is also pleased that the continuity of the Dikke Banden Races is guaranteed with the takeover. “We are happy that by working together we can give a boost to the Dikke Banden Races. After all, these accessible events have been responsible for a lot of cycling fun for many years and have even contributed to part of the performance of our current champions.”