Sometimes there's not enough words to describe how much a rider has impacted a team, and in Lieuwe's case, that's true. Even if he's not the greatest rider this team had, and he'd be the first one to tell you that, his impact in this team development is incommesurable. He single-handedly took us from a minor local team to a team that was close to being elite, and left us in a position where making the transition to a top team was just easy. And when that happened, he stayed in the sideline and helped his team mates, never claiming a chance unless he was unmistakably the best rider to take it. And today he retires with a victory for his team mate and a smile on his face, knowing he has delivered once more, to the benefit of the team where he started his career and never left.
Some figures that maybe help non-insiders understand the impact of Lieuwe on Navarone CT:
* 20 wins, ...
Read moreSometimes there's not enough words to describe how much a rider has impacted a team, and in Lieuwe's case, that's true. Even if he's not the greatest rider this team had, and he'd be the first one to tell you that, his impact in this team development is incommesurable. He single-handedly took us from a minor local team to a team that was close to being elite, and left us in a position where making the transition to a top team was just easy. And when that happened, he stayed in the sideline and helped his team mates, never claiming a chance unless he was unmistakably the best rider to take it. And today he retires with a victory for his team mate and a smile on his face, knowing he has delivered once more, to the benefit of the team where he started his career and never left.
Some figures that maybe help non-insiders understand the impact of Lieuwe on Navarone CT:
* 20 wins, 49 results, 4 trophies
* 2 1st Div. wins
* >850k in earnings, >600k netto
* First race with the team, we stood barely in 3rd division. Last one, a win in 1st Div. against the best sprinters in the world.
Lieuwe will take a well deserved break, and join our trainer staff during season 60. Rest assured that, around here, you shall never be forgotten.
This write-up from Season 48 captures how I always knew I wanted Lieuwe's legacy to be remembered:
"Lieuwe Oosterhof started season 48 knowing this was his moment.
Over the last 3 seasons, he had to be the cornerstone of the team. Captaining > 90% of the races, racing two and three times a week to earn the points and money the team so dearly needed from him, he didn't have the support, focus and proper rest to tackle the most important objectives and ride for glory in the top classics and tours.
Nonetheless, those 3 seasons of efforts and sacrifice have paid off for the team. Homero Edo had risen as a reliable FR and all-around sprint captain, and it is now his turn to take on unfavorable races as a part of his learning process. This means that, at last, Lieuwe Oosterhof is now free to chase his best match races only.
Maybe not so surprisingly, the result has been the best season ever for him. While lacking in the victories department - no top form and matching some of the best sprinters of OCM history consistently does that to one's career - the season is being sensational in both points and earnings for the team. 1.300 points, breaking into the top 10 of the individual OCM tour, and 150k in gross earnings, his contribution to the team standings is stronger than ever. And while he has not added a trophy to the team's case, his consistent placements even while dealing with bad luck (Mito - Tokyo) or strong opposition (the field of sprinters in Porto, or the magnificent ride from Chris-George Buelens in Grasse - Toulon) show that he is still a legitimate threat on these races for next season.
As the icing in the cake, today Lieuwe Oosterhof has managed to take the national champion jersey off the hands of the mighty Roland Perk. Even if only for a day, he already regards this as one of the best days of his career. Only someone who has fought so long for this knows how much is it worth, and Lieuwe knows quite a bit about fighting for something against someone stronger, being really close to it, but never having it.
So today his proud family, our team, and the members of the Lieuwe Oosterhof Charity Cycling Academy in his native Delft celebrate it like a victory in the greatest classics. We don't know how long will it last, or if he will be able to repeat it again. Only thing we know is, after today's celebration, tomorrow he will be back in the saddle and ready for fighting again. His home tour awaits and nothing would be better than entering it wearing the National Champion jersey.
Illingworth, Gribov, Borges, Dodemaide, Leonard, Boemans, Shiwak, Aune, Perk... we know you are stronger riders. But we are ready to punch the hardest and you'd better be ready for it."
Netherlands