Motorcycling is a popular sport in the Netherlands, and the country is home to some of the world’s best motorcycle racers. From the experienced veterans to the young up-and-comers, the Netherlands is home to a diverse range of riders who race on all kinds of tracks and terrains.
Whether it’s on the tight and twisty roads of the Dutch countryside or the fast and furious circuits like Zandvoort, these riders have proven their mettle time and again.
We will take a look at some of the best motorcycle racers in the Netherlands and explore their incredible stories.
1. Gerrit Wolsink
Gerrit Wolsink is a highly accomplished former professional Grand Prix motocross racer from the Netherlands. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1970 to 1981 and was a notable competitor in the 500cc Motocross World Championships.
During his career, he achieved a number of excellent placements, including two runner-up finishes and two third-place finishes.
This impressive record demonstrates Wolsink’s skill and dedication as a Motocross racer and highlights his place as a top competitor in the 500cc Motocross World Championships.
His strong performances in the sport have earned him widespread recognition and respect in the Motocross community.
2. Jeffrey Herlings
Jeffrey Herlings is a highly successful and accomplished professional motocross racer from the Netherlands. He has been competing in the Motocross World Championships since 2010, and since then, he has achieved remarkable success.
Herlings is particularly known for his impressive feat of winning three consecutive MX2 Championships in 2012, 2013, and 2016, and then following up with a pair of MXGP Championships in 2018 and 2021.
He also holds the record for the most Grand Prix wins in MXGP history, further cementing his place among the greats of the sport. It is clear that Herlings’ skill and dedication to the sport have paid off, making him a household name in the motocross world.
3. Vasco van der Valk
Vasco van der Valk is a talented motorcycle road racer from the Netherlands. He has achieved great success in his native country, having been runner-up in the Dutch NSF100 Championship for Kids 2011. The championship was organized by Arie Molenaar, an ex-Grand Prix 125 rider.
Van der Valk is highly respected in the Dutch motorcycle racing community. He has achieved remarkable success at a young age and has proven himself to be a fierce competitor.
His performance in the NSF100 Championship for Kids was a testament to his skill and determination, and he is sure to have an illustrious career in the sport. Arie Molenaar is an experienced racer who has achieved great success in his own right.
As a former Grand Prix 125 rider, he is highly respected in the racing community. He has been instrumental in organizing the NSF100 Championship for Kids, which has become an important event in the Dutch racing circuit.
Vasco van der Valk and Arie Molenaar have both made significant contributions to Dutch motorcycle racing. Van der Valk is an accomplished young racer, while Molenaar has provided a platform for the next generation of racers to showcase their talents.
The NSF100 Championship for Kids provides an exciting opportunity for the young racers to demonstrate their skills and compete against each other.
4. Jos Schurgers
Jos Schurgers was a talented and successful Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from the Netherlands. He had his most successful season in 1971, when he finished third in the 50cc season, behind Jan de Vries and Angel Nieto.
This was a remarkable achievement, considering the level of competition in the 50cc class at the time. In that season, Schurgers managed to score several podium finishes, including a win in the season-opener in Germany.
His most remarkable performance, however, was a second-place finish in the Dutch TT at Assen, where he finished just 0.20 seconds behind the winner, de Vries. This performance earned Schurgers the admiration of his fellow racers and fans alike.
In addition to his success in the 50cc class, Schurgers also competed in the 125cc and 250cc classes.
Although he never achieved the same level of success as he did in the 50cc class, he still managed to score a number of impressive results, including a fifth-place finish in the 125cc race in Germany in 1972. Jos Schurgers was a remarkable Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who achieved great success in 1971.
He was a talented rider who had the courage to take on the best in the world and come out on top. His achievements will always be remembered by the racing community.
5. Henk van Kessel
Henk van Kessel is a highly accomplished Dutch former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He achieved international fame when he won the 1974 F.I.M. 50 cc world championship, becoming the first Dutch rider to do so.
This was not the only success of his lengthy career, as he went on to win a total of seven Grand Prix races.
His impressive record made him a popular figure among Dutch motorcycling fans, and he continues to be remembered as one of the most successful riders in the history of the sport.
6. Rob Bron
Rob Bron was a Dutch Grand Prix motorcycle road racer with a successful career. He reached his peak performance in 1971 when he achieved third place in the 500cc world championship, behind Giacomo Agostini and Keith Turner.
This accomplishment established him as an elite racer in the field. Unfortunately Rob Bron passed away on October 5, 2009, at the age of 60. His death was a shock to the motorcycle racing world, as he had been an inspiring figure to many for nearly four decades.
His legacy lives on through his incredible career accomplishments, including his historic third-place finish in the 500cc world championship. Rob Bron was a true pioneer in the field of motorcycle racing.
He pushed the boundaries of the sport and broke barriers for other racers who followed in his footsteps. He was a master of his craft and a great inspiration for those who dream of becoming a successful racer. His memory will live on for generations to come.
7. Jan Huberts
Jan Huberts was a very accomplished Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from the Netherlands. He was well-known for his impressive performances on the track.
In 1962, he had the best year of his career when he won an impressive two Grand Prix races and finished the season in third place behind Ernst Degner and Hans-Georg Anscheidt. This feat only added to his reputation as one of the best racers in the world.
Moreover, Jan Huberts holds the official world speed record for 50cc motorcycles. This is a testament to his incredible skill and determination as a racer. He will undoubtedly remain a legendary figure in motorcycle racing for years to come.
8. Bo Bendsneyder
Bo Bendsneyder is a professional motorcycle racer from the Netherlands. He has had a successful career in the sport, most notably winning the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2015.
This is a competition that showcases the best young riders from around the world, and it is considered one of the most prestigious championships in the sport. Bendsneyder started his career in 2013 when he entered the European Junior Cup.
After two years of impressive performances, he was chosen to compete in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup for 2015.
In that season, he was able to come out on top and take the championship. Since then, Bendsneyder has gone on to compete in the CEV Repsol Moto3 championship and the Moto3 World Championship.
He has had some success in these competitions, with a number of podium finishes throughout his career.
He is currently competing in the 2019 Moto2 World Championship, where he is looking to make a name for himself in the world of motorcycle racing.Bo Bendsneyder has established himself as one of the top young riders in the sport.
His victory in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2015 was a sign of the great things to come from this talented Dutch rider. He continues to compete at the highest level and is sure to be a major force in the sport for many years to come.
9. Boet van Dulmen
Boet van Dulmen was a highly skilled Dutch Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who was renowned for his ability to race in wet weather conditions.
During the late 1970s, he was part of an impressive group of Dutch riders including Wil Hartog and Jack Middelburg who competed at the highest levels of Grand Prix racing.
Throughout his career, Van Dulmen was noted for his excellent riding capabilities in the rain which made him a formidable competitor on the track. He was able to handle the difficult conditions and still come out on top, making him an asset to the Dutch motorcycling community.
He was well respected for his talents and was seen as a pioneer of Dutch road racing. Van Dulmen’s legacy lives on in the Netherlands as a prominent figure in the sport.
10. Jack Middelburg
Jack Middelburg was an accomplished Dutch professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He was part of a strong contingent of Dutch riders who achieved success in Grand Prix racing during the late 1970s. Joining him in this esteemed group were Wil Hartog and Boet van Dulmen.
The three riders were well-known and respected for their skill and tenacity in the sport. Middelburg was particularly noted for his impressive and consistent racing performances.
He regularly featured in the top ten of the Grand Prix standings and recorded several podium finishes throughout his career. Together with Hartog and Van Dulmen, Middelburg was part of a pioneering era of Dutch Grand Prix riders.
He helped to set a high bar for future Dutch motorcyclists, inspiring generations of riders to follow in their footsteps. Middelburg’s legacy lives on in the world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
He was an important part of the Dutch contingent that achieved success in the sport during the late 1970s, and his accomplishments have served as an inspiration for many riders who have come after him.
11. Cees Doorakkers
Cees Doorakkers was a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from the Netherlands. He was the Dutch 250cc champion in 1984 and 1986 and also reached the championship in the 500cc class in 1986.
Doorakkers’ career in the Grand Prix road race world championship spanned from 1984 to 1995. During this time, he was a highly competitive rider and was even part of a Dutch team that achieved a podium finish at the 1988 Nations Grand Prix.
Throughout his career, Doorakkers was known for his incredible skill and tenacity on the track, as well as his ability to bring out the best in his team. He was also a great ambassador for the sport, inspiring a new generation of Dutch riders to follow in his footsteps.
12. Jasper Iwema
Jasper Iwema is a Dutch motorcycle rider who has had a successful career in the sport.
He has raced in several major championships, including the 125cc World Championship, the FIM CEV Moto2 European Championship, the FIM CEV Moto3 Championship, the ADAC Junior Cup, and the German IDM 125GP Championship.
His involvement in these championships is evidence of his commitment to the sport and his skill as a rider. The 125cc World Championship is a motorcycle racing championship, which is considered to be one of the most prestigious competitions in the world.
The FIM CEV Moto2 European Championship is a championship for riders in the Moto2 class, and the FIM CEV Moto3 Championship is a championship for riders in the Moto3 class.
The ADAC Junior Cup is a championship for young riders, while the German IDM 125GP Championship is a championship for 125cc bikes.
Jasper has achieved great success in each of the championships he has competed in, and his accomplishments are a testament to his dedication and talent. He has traveled the world to compete in these championships, and it is clear that he has a passion for the sport.
He is an inspiration to other riders and an example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.
13. Michael van der Mark
Michael van der Mark is a professional motorcycle road racer from the Netherlands. His main focus is the Superbike World Championship, where he competes on a BMW M1000RR.
He has achieved a great deal of success in the sport, most notably winning the 2012 European Superstock 600 championship.
This championship involves a 600cc production motorcycle class, where the best riders from around the world compete in a series of races throughout the year with the aim of being crowned champion.
Michael van der Mark is a celebrated rider in the world of motorcycle road racing, and his accomplishments speak for themselves. He has consistently shown himself to be a world-class competitor and has earned the respect of fans and fellow racers alike.
14. Pepijn Bijsterbosch
Pepijn Bijsterbosch is a Dutch motorcycle racer who currently competes in the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM Superbike Championship). His chosen vehicle for racing is a BMW S1000R, a powerful and agile motorcycle built by the renowned German manufacturer.
Bijsterbosch has achieved great success in the IDM Superbike Championship, with several podium finishes in recent years. He is a highly respected racer in the international motorcycle racing community and is seen as a rising star in the sport.
Bijsterbosch is a dedicated competitor, and his commitment and passion for the sport has earned him the respect of his peers.
With his impressive performances in the IDM Superbike Championship, Bijsterbosch is well on his way to becoming one of the most successful Dutch motorcycle racers of all time.
15. Carel Godin de Beaufort
Jonkheer Karel Pieter Antoni Jan Hubertus “Carel” Godin de Beaufort was a Dutch nobleman and motorsport driver from the Netherlands. He was born into a noble family and was a member of the Dutch aristocracy. He was known by his nickname, Carel.
He was an avid motorist and enjoyed taking part in motorsport competitions. He was particularly successful in Formula One, a type of motor racing, and competed in the sport between 1957 and 1964.
During this time, he achieved a number of impressive accomplishments, including two victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1958 and 1959. He also competed in the 1958 German Grand Prix, the 1959 Dutch Grand Prix, and the 1960 Dutch Grand Prix.
Despite his success, he was forced to retire from the sport in 1964 due to financial difficulties. His legacy lives on, however, and he is remembered as one of the most talented and dedicated Dutch drivers of all time.
16. Hans Spaan
Hans Spaan is a former professional motorcycle racer from the Netherlands. He had an impressive career, highlighted by his best year in 1989 when he won four races and finished second overall in the Grand Prix motorcycle road racing season.
That season, Spaan was competing against Àlex Crivillé for the championship title but ultimately fell short of claiming the championship. Spaan’s success in 1989 was a huge jump for him as he had not won any races in the previous two seasons.
He was able to become a consistent podium finisher and his four wins that season showed just how much he had improved.
His second overall finish to Crivillé was particularly impressive as Crivillé had already won the championship two times prior to 1989 and was a well-established star in the sport. After his impressive 1989 season, Spaan’s career began to decline.
He was unable to replicate his success from that season and eventually retired from the sport in 1995. Despite his brief career, Spaan was able to make a name for himself in the Grand Prix motorcycle road racing world.
His second place finish in 1989 will always be remembered as one of his greatest accomplishments.
17. Aalt Toersen
Aalt Toersen was a renowned Dutch professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who had a successful career spanning several years. He is best remembered for his achievements in 1969 and 1970 when he won three races and finished second in the 50cc world championship.
These two impressive seasons placed him as a runner-up to Angel Nieto, the Spanish racer who ultimately won the championship both times. Toersen’s success in 1969 and 1970 was not limited to his world championship standings.
During these two years, he also earned three race wins, which further elevated his reputation as a formidable competitor. His strong performances earned him the respect of both his peers and fans, and he was quickly regarded as a top-tier road racer.
Despite his success, Toersen was unable to make it to the top of the world championship standings. This is due in part to the fact that he was competing against the great Angel Nieto, who is considered one of the greatest 50cc racers of all time.
Even though he was unable to claim the world championship, Toersen left an indelible mark on the sport, and he will always be remembered for his impressive accomplishments.
18. Egbert Streuer
Egbert Streuer is a Dutch former professional sidecar driver who achieved great success in his career as a motorcycle racer. He is widely considered to be the most successful Dutch motorcycle racer of all time.
Streuer’s success was due in no small part to the assistance of his passenger, Bernard Schnieders. Together, they achieved a remarkable feat, becoming world champions in the years 1984, 1985, and 1986.
Even after this incredible accomplishment, Streuer and Schnieders remained in the top three of the final ranking for the next five years, continuing to perform at a high level.
This impressive track record speaks to Streuer’s skill and determination as a racer and his lasting legacy in the world of motorcycle racing.
19. Peter Politiek
Peter Politiek jr is an experienced motorcycle racer from the Netherlands. During his racing career, he competed in both the Dutch Superbikes and the German IDM Superbikes Championships.
In the 2009 season, Peter achieved his first major success in the Dutch Superbikes, taking both the pole position and the win. More recently, Peter has been a testrider for Moto73 magazine since 2017, providing invaluable feedback on a range of motorcycles.
This experience has helped hone his skills and knowledge of the motorcycle racing industry, providing a unique insight into the sport.
Conclusion
The Netherlands is home to some of the best motorcycle racers in the world. From Michael van der Mark to Tom Coronel, the Dutch riders have proven time and time again that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level.
With the successes of the past, it is clear that the future of motorcycle racing in the Netherlands is bright.
