Today at 8:30 PM • Modified today at 9:14 PM
Henk Vos, the father and biggest supporter of cyclist Marianne Vos (38) from Babyloniënbroek, died on Monday evening at the age of 78. He was known as his daughter’s number one fan, everywhere at her games and always involved in every detail of her impressive career. Now we look back on the special bond between father and daughter.
From the smallest local competitions to world championships and the Tour de France for women, father Henk was everywhere. Together with his wife and son Anton, he traveled in the ‘Vosjes camper’, visiting start and finish locations for weeks, always close to Marianne.
“She deserves it, this makes you happy,” he once said about the first edition of La Course by Le Tour de France. His presence gave Marianne confidence and energy, both in the excitement of big competitions and in her biggest victories.
Victory after victory
At the Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Hoogerheide in 2014, the always proud Henk, as usual, stood quietly watching his daughter’s umpteenth victory. Marianne Vos became world champion again. “I never get used to it, but I can control myself reasonably well now. It’s so special every time,” he said at the time.
Unbelievable, he thought about the number of titles: “What was it, sixth or seventh? I can’t find the words for it, I am immensely proud.” At the time, he had no idea how big and long Marianne’s success would become, but it was already clear that he would support her every step of the way.
Collector of memories
In addition to his presence along the course, Henk collected all her achievements: from the first plastic prize to Olympic medals, world titles and cups from classics such as the Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold Race and Flèche Wallonne. Everything was given a place in his impressive ‘prize cabinet’ in Babyloniënbroek, where Marianne’s first bicycle could not be missing.
Each object had its own story: the victories he celebrated with Marianne, the matches in which they fought and the small, beautiful moments behind the scenes that no one else saw. Henk dreamed of a museum to make his daughter’s career tangible. “For the fans this is fantastic, for me it is mainly a lot of memories,” he said at the time.
An exceptional career
Marianne Vos developed into one of the most versatile and successful cyclists ever. She dominated cyclocross with multiple consecutive world titles and national championships, and expanded her successes to road, track and mountain biking.
She won Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012, numerous world titles and important classics such as the Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold Race and Flèche Wallonne. Father Henk followed her every step, from the first victories to the great international triumphs, and was everywhere to support her and celebrate her achievements.
Absent along the course
Her father’s health had previously been critical, which meant Vos missed the Italian spring classic Milan-San Remo two weeks ago. She will therefore not start in the Tour of Flanders on Sunday and chooses to stay with her family.
After a lifetime of experiencing every victory, every race and every special moment of his daughter up close, her top supporter will no longer be there from now on.
