What Kirsten says about her passion for cycling; “Like many children, I really liked cycling, cycling hard. Circles around the block, hands on the bottom of the brake levers to be more aero. Dangerous, I now know. But I’ve always liked riding a bike.

I joined the local touring club because my father was also a member. But I was actually looking for competition. And eventually I became a member of the cycling association. There you were allowed to cycle fast and you also learned how to do that. I loved it. For years I have cycled races all over the world on road and track. I’ve seen a lot of the world, but I prefer to cycle near Zwolle and Apeldoorn. The love for cycling has never left and I have now also discovered that normal cycling, without a number and the craziness of the peloton, can also be wonderful. We have thousands of little roads that you can keep exploring. I really enjoy that.

When I’m not cycling I like to drink a cup of coffee somewhere or have lunch on a terrace. You can wake me up for that. I think it’s important to have fun in what you do. That way you last the longest.