Harrie Lavreysen has been named Sportsman of the Year 2025. The track cyclist was chosen above Mathieu van der Poel and Jenning de Boo on Wednesday at Papendal. This is the second year in a row for the Luykgestel resident to win the prize.
Lavreysen won no fewer than four gold medals at the Track Cycling World Championships in Chile this year. Last year he was nicknamed ‘Hattrick Harrie’ after he won three gold medals at the Olympic Games and achieved additional success at the World Championships. He also received the Sportsman of the Year award.
‘Really not expected’
Lavreysen himself did not expect that this World Cup would go so well. Before the World Cup he said: “I fear I will never equal what I did last year.” He has to come back to that now. “I really surprised myself. I really didn’t expect this.”
He continues: “I have only competed in very few competitions this year, but I couldn’t have done more at the World Cup.” Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve he tries to end his year well at the National Track Cycling Championships in Apeldoorn.
No prize for Van der Poel
The record Olympian defeated Mathieu van der Poel, among others, during the elections. The cyclo-cross and track cyclist and mountain biker had a top year, with great success in cyclo-cross. In addition, the 30-year-old rode in yellow for a long time during the Tour de France. He was not present at the event as he is preparing for his cyclo-cross competitions.
It is the third year in a row that a Brabant athlete has won the Sportsman of the Year award. Lavreysen also won the prize in 2024 and Mathieu van der Poel won it in 2023.
Vink Parasportsman of the Year
Wheelchair tennis player Niels Vink was chosen as Parasportsman of the Year. De Helmonder won the Grand Slam tournaments Wimbledon and US Open in singles and, with Guys Sasson at his side, the doubles titles at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open.
Vink became very emotional during his speech. He paid tribute to his trainer Hans Jurgen Striek, who died in September.
Oeuvre Prize Ireen Wüst
Skater Ireen Wüst from Goirle received the Fanny Blankers-Koen Career Award during the Sports Gala at the Papendal sports center. This oeuvre prize is awarded annually to an athlete with exceptional services to Dutch sport.