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United States | Midwest | Ohio >> Tom Dumoulin was chosen as Dutch Cyclist of the Year for the third consecutive year

Tom Dumoulin chosen Dutch Cyclist of the Year 

Dumoulin wins Dutch Cyclist of the Year Award for the 3rd time in a row. He took the occasion to reflect on cycling in his country and his future plans. 

Dumoulin  had a successful year with the victory in the first Time Trial of the Giro d'Italia, two stages in the Tour de France and a silver medal in the Time Trial of the Olympic Games of Rio de Janeiro.

The next big step for Dumoulin will be a good result in a Grand Tour but he's still undecided as to what he will ride in 2017. "I already have an idea about which one it will be, but I haven't discussed it with the team yet. I've been close to the victory in the Vuelta, but it is difficult to finish on the podium. But I will do everything to finish in the first positions," said the rider to Dutch news medium NOS.

The Dutchman is also very happy about the state of professional cycling in his country and summed up the results of his fellow countrymen. "Such a successful year for Dutch cycling with the victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège (Wout Poels), the almost GC victory at the Giro d'Italia (Steven Kruijswijk), the victory at the Clásica San Sebastian (Bauke Mollema), the stage victory at the Vuelta (Robert Gesink) and many more. We can be proud of our small country!"

Dumoulin added some words for his team and the support they gave him during this Olympic year. "It wasn't that easy for me to just say 'I circle my whole focus around Rio in 2016 because that is my dream'. You have to understand that the sponsors of the team don't get any exposure from that because sponsoring is mostly blocked from the Olympics and a focus on a GC would be better for the WorldTour points."

"So I'm very grateful that Team Giant-Alpecin has fully supported me and that I could chase my Olympic dream."

Dumoulin competed with Poels and Kruisjwijk for the title of the Dutch cyclist of the year. The female prize went to the Olympic champion Anna van der Breggen