a conversation with DAAN ZEBEL

  The Cycle Sierra Nevada Scholarship Program was developed as a way to sponsor young cyclists that may not have opportunity or financial capacity to avail of a cycling training camp. In this section we take 5 minutes for a quick chat with one of the applicants selected for the 2016 program.

DAAN ZEBEL - THE NETHERLANDS

Who are you?

I'm Daan, I'm 17 years old and I live in the Netherlands.

What team do you ride for?

I ride for w.v. De jonge renner in Oosterhout, the Netherlands

Why did you start cycling?

Well when I was 12 the Tour de France came trough the Netherlands and I went to watch. When I saw all the riders flashing by, heard the helicopters in the sky and all the people that where standing there watching I was sold. I was convinced and I wanted to race.

Have you any other sporting backgrounds?

I started off by playing hockey for 5 years, after that I played some basketball and then I went for cycling.

What types of cycling do you do and what do you enjoy about each?

I ride on the road and I love doing it all. I like time trialing a lot, but I also like climbing. I love the experience of racing on cobbles and just riding the flats in Holland.  I also have a passion for time trialing because it's just you and you just need to give every thing you have. Climbing is nice because it is so hard as well.

How many bikes do you own?

I have one road bike and a TT bike.

Favourite piece of cycling equipment/kit?:

I like my retro Oakley Razor Blades the most.

Your greatest achievements on a bicycle?

I am very proud of my 3rd place at the Dutch individual time trial championships as a first year junior last season

Your cycling heroes?

My heroes are Gilbert, Greg Lemond and Fabian Cancellara

Your favourite training route/coffee stop?

I like the training ride to Rotterdam. I always make a coffee stop at Prachtig under the Erasmus bridge where they have one of the best cappuccinos around.

What music do you like?

I like all kinds of music, sometimes it's dance, sometimes older songs. I currently like Tonlisten to old songs from Dean Martin.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

Well people may know that I'm a big fan of the Sopranos and I'm now watching the entire show for the 4th time!

Hopes and plans for the future?

My goals are pretty clear,  I want to become a pro racer one day and I want to make it to the top.