Dirk van Gaal (40) from Heeze is a true cycling enthusiast. He likes to cycle a ‘tourke’ when the weather is nice, but he also designs cycling shirts. He puts it on the internet. This was noticed by the advertising agency that provides the Jumbo-Visma cycling team’s campaign. Result: he was allowed to design the shirt with which Jumbo-Visma will participate in the Tour de France for the next three weeks. “It’s unreal to see the riders cycling in the shirt.”
The Brabant designer is not someone who blows high from the tower. “But it is quite an honor if perhaps the best cycling team in the world asks you to design the shirt for the Tour de France. It has also become a controversial shirt. It attracts a lot of attention.”
Jumbo-Visma has been aiming for a Tour victory for several years now. The upcoming Tour must be a ‘masterpiece’. That is why the supermarket chain’s campaign is based on the masterpieces of the Dutch painters Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer.
“Van Gogh’s brushstrokes return to the cycling jersey.”
The shirt with which Team Jumbo-Visma will give color to the Tour de France is special: “In preparation, a team from the advertising agency viewed fifty paintings by the Dutch masters. The most special features were extracted for each painter. For example, the brushstrokes by Van Gogh and Rembrandt’s use of color,” says Dirk.
“In the end I got twelve pieces with which I designed the shirt. Of course the sponsor names also had to be clearly visible.” The theme of the masterpieces is also reflected in gloves, caps, cycling shorts and all advertising messages from the supermarket chain.
“If Jumbo-Visma wins the Tour de France, I have also contributed to it.”
Dirk is looking forward to next week when he will follow two stages of the Tour de France. He is among other things at the infamous cobblestone ride to Roubaix.
“It’s unreal to see the riders cycling in the shirt I designed. I want to see them pass by live. They can’t take this from me anymore. If the team succeeds in winning the Tour de France, then I have also contributed.”
