The former cyclists Joop Zoetemelk, Adrie van der Poel and Henk Lubberding have not been riding in the peloton for a while. But the public still hangs on their every word when they talk about the race.
There is absolutely no stage fright when the three former cyclists enter the stage of the Toon Hermanstheater in Sittard.
Joop just stays Joop
They don’t have to play a role either, they can just be themselves in this theatrical performance. “There is a lot of talk about the race, but ordinary everyday things are also discussed,” explains Henk Lubberding.
Hearing the stories of the past
The former cyclists are still very popular with cycling fans. Not only the older cycling enthusiasts have bought a ticket for this theater performance. Some visitors are of an age at which they have never seen Joop Zoetemelk race. Yet they also want to hear the stories of the past from the mouth of the former Tour winner.
Eating miles
Joop Zoetemelk is still recovering from a nasty fall by bicycle, now a year and a half ago. Lubberding and Van der Poel still regularly run their kilometers on the racing bike. Adrie van der Poel still regularly cycles tours of more than 200 kilometers. Lubberding rides his bicycle every other day and does not shy away from tough trips on the island of Lanzerote.