Gerrie Knetemann
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Medal record | |||
---|---|---|---|
Gerrie Knetemann |
|||
Competitor for the Netherlands | |||
Road bicycle racing | |||
World Championships | |||
Gold | 1978 Nürburgring | Elite Men's Road Race |
Gerrie Knetemann (March 6, 1951 in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland – November 2, 2004 in Bergen, Noord-Holland) was a Dutch road bicycle racer who won the 1978 World Championship.
A four-time winner of the Ronde van Nederland, he also rode the Tour de France 11 times between 1974 and 1987, winning 10 stages, a Dutch record equalled only by Jan Raas and Joop Zoetemelk. Knetemann won 127 races as a professional.
Knetemann maintained an Amsterdam accent and a sharp sense of humour that made him a favourite with reporters and earned him television and radio appearances. His best year in the Tour de France was 1978, when he led from the sixth stage. Although he lost the leader's yellow jersey two days later, he won the stage into Lausanne and then the final stage on the Champs Elysées in Paris.
His career dwindled after a crash in A Travers la Belgique in Belgium in March 1983. Recovery took months and, although he did again ride the Tour de France, there was nothing of the once sparkling star. Although Knetemann did win the Amstel Gold Race in 1985. He retired from racing and in 1991 and became Dutch team selector.
Knetemann died while riding his bike. He collapsed from a heart attack with friends in Bergen, the Netherlands.
[edit] External links
Sporting positions | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Francesco Moser |
World Road Racing Champion 1978 |
Succeeded by Jan Raas |
Awards | ||
Preceded by Hennie Kuiper |
Dutch Sportsman of the Year 1978 |
Succeeded by Jan Raas |