a conversation with...

  The Mobel Sport - Cycle Sierra Nevada Scholarship was developed as a way to sponsor young cyclists that may not have opportunity or financial capacity to avail of a cycling training camp. In this section we take 5 minutes for a quick chat with one of the applicants selected for the 2017 program.

Minne Verboom - zuid holland - the netherlands

Who are you?

My name is Minne Verboom, I'm 17 years old, and I am from The Netherlands.

What team do you ride for?

I am currently riding for UWTC De Volharding - Wilton Cyclingteam.

Why did you start cycling?

When I was a little kid my dad watched a lot cycling and I liked it. At the age of 7 I rode a non-competitive race on my regular school bike, I finished second. After that I decide to start cycling.

Have you any sporting backgrounds apart from cycling?

I have played football as a little boy and I was a BMXer for one year when I was younger.

What type of cyclist are you? Do you compete in other disciplines, other than road cycling?

I like the hard classics with a lot of crosswind, also I like the Individual Time trail and the Team Time Trail because it is the fairest type of racing. In the winter I do some cyclo-cross races.

Favourite piece of cycling equipment/kit?

I don't have a favourite equipment but I just love everything from Specilaized.

Your greatest achievements on a bicycle?

In 2016 I achieved some nice podium places. In Konctich (UCI 2.1) was I 4th on the second stage, 6th in the GC, 3rd in the youth GC and 5th in the points classification. With my team we won the TTT in Tour de L'eure and we also won the Dutch National TTT Championship.

Your favourite professional cyclist? (past and present)

Niki Terpstra and Marcel Kittel

Most memorable moment/stage win from professional cycling?

Winning Dutch Championship TTT with my team.

Your favourite stage race and one day race? Why?

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, It is a big spring classic and the opening of the season.

What's your current favourite music album/song?

I don't have a favourite song, but I listen a lot of Dutch rap and before a time-trail I listen some Pussy Lounge (hardstyle).

Tell us something we don’t know about you already and you don’t mind the general public knowing?

.... no answer!

Hopes and plans for the future?

I hope to keep developing myself next year when I'm second year of junior and then make the step up to a good u23 team.