SUPERPRESTIGE SERIES - ‘CROSS HAS IT’S OWN HERITAGE: 

DUTCH cyclocross is on the up thanks to the recent performances of multiple World champion Marianne Vos, World Cup winner Lars Van Der Haar and most recently the Van Der Poel brothers, Mathieu and David. 

Hennie Stamsnijder was the first Dutch cyclocross star – winning the Superprestige series four times in the 1980s, nine national titles and the World championship in 1981. Stamsnijder beat Roland Liboton and Albert Zweifel over a muddy course in the Basque country to claim his rainbow jersey (pictured here in a recent post by Shimano). He also rode the Tour de France twice and his son Tom is a road pro with Argos-Shimano. 

Hennie now works for Shimano and still follows the pro scene. Stamsnijder won the very first Superprestige series in 1983 and last Sunday in Gieten, in the very north of the Netherlands the battle for the 33rd Superprestige title began. Sven Nys is the defending title holder and has amazingly won the series 13 times over the last 16 seasons.