Challenge Almere-Amsterdam: My First Professional Win
Two weeks later, I am still taking it in. On 12 September, I crossed the finish line at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam in 8:42:07. It was a personal best, my first win as a professional triathlete, and it made me both Dutch and European long distance champion. I had hoped Almere could be a special race. I’m […]
Recap Ironman 70.3 Hradec Králové
We set off for the Czech Republic in good spirits. The plan for the days before the race was simple: travel without rushing, settle in, and give myself enough time to prepare. We had booked a nice hotel close to Hradec Králové, which gave me a comfortable base for my final training sessions. The weather […]
Race Recap: IRONMAN Switzerland Thun
After IRONMAN South Africa, I was ready for another full distance race. I had finished eighth there, but the race hadn’t quite come together as I had hoped. Thun felt like a great opportunity to try again. It is relatively easy for us to reach from the Netherlands, and I already knew the course: I […]
Recap Ironman Chattanooga: 4th Place
After Alpe d’Huez and Embrun, it was time for a full Ironman again in September. My last Ironman, Les Sables d’Olonne, had ended in disappointment, so I was eager to get back on the start line and finish strong on the red carpet! With most European races already done, and not all of them offering […]
Recap Embrunman: 7th Place
After descending from Alpe d’Huez, one thing definitely climbed, the temperature! When we arrived in Embrun, the thermometer shot up to 35°C. That set the tone for what was already going to be a tough race. For those unfamiliar: Embrunman starts with a swim in the dark in Lake Embrun, challenging enough on its own, […]
Recap Triathlon Alpe d’Huez: 8th Place and onwards to Embrun
After racing the Alpe d’Huez Triathlon for the first time last year, it instantly became one of my favorite races. The legend of the 21 hairpins! With its stunning location, incredible cycling terrain, and the amazing atmosphere of a true local race, I couldn’t resist signing up again this year. Even though this race wasn’t […]
Recap Ironman Lanzarote & Looking Ahead to Les Sables d’Olonne
Now that I’m back home from Lanzarote, with the recovery week after the race behind me and the first full training week completed, it’s time to reflect on my debut race as a professional athlete at Ironman Lanzarote. This was a race I had been working toward and preparing for over a long period. Starting […]
Road to my first PRO race at the IRONMAN Lanzarote
Last year I qualified for my PRO license and as a result I am now stepping up my game to the PRO field instead of the Age Group field. Often people ask me if lots has changed since then. My answer is: no, not really. For me turning PRO was the ultimate goal. After starting […]