When he was selected for the European Cyclo-cross Championships next Sunday in Belgium, it was quite a surprise for him. Danny van Lierop (22) from Someren is in his first year in the elite and has been allowed to show his skills at the highest level by national coach Gerben de Knegt. The former footballer and ice hockey player is ambitious as a cyclo-cross rider. “It’s still a long way off, but I think it would be great to one day become world champion.”
In his younger years, Van Lierop enjoyed playing ball at the local club Someren-Heide. He also played ice hockey for six months, but that sport did not suit him very well.
“Cycling came my way through my father. He often rode mountain bike tours and I joined him once. That was so much fun that I became a member of a club around the age of ten. I liked it more than playing football. Not every teammate always had the right attitude, so I couldn’t deal with that well.”
At the club he started with a road and a cross bike. About three years later he decided to give cyclo-cross the priority. “As a cyclo-cross rider you have control over the results yourself, on the road you are more dependent on your team and how a race goes. What also makes it better for me is that more technology is involved. Moreover, the world is a bit more relaxed.”
It does not mean that the Brabander does not take the road season seriously. This year he won the Omloop der Zevenheuvelen. “The road season is partly dominated by winter, but of course I also want to perform. I prefer to compete in races with hills, for example. I’m not a fan of flat races, so you won’t often see me at the start there.”
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.”
In his first year with the elite, he can immediately show himself at the European Championships. Van Lierop mainly sees it as a competition from which he can learn a lot. “In my youth, selection for major competitions was a certainty. The fact that I can now go with the ‘big men’ is a cool experience and came as a bit of a surprise. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, but of course I think it would be great if there is some room for me to move forward.”
For the time being, the Brabander is busy with his sport full-time. “I want to see how things go in the sporting field in the coming years. I can always decide to work part-time,” says the business economics graduate. “I have been able to make great strides in recent years and I am curious to see how far I can go.”
Ultimately, Van Lierop has very big goals. “I’m not that far yet, but the world title is my biggest dream. And it would be great if cyclo-cross was added to the Olympic agenda.”
Brabanders at European Championships
Danny van Lierop is not the only Brabander in the Dutch selection. Ryan Kamp from Roosendaal and Mees Hendrikx from Valkenswaard will also be in action in Middelkerke, Belgium. Mathieu van der Poel is not yet present at the European Championships.