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Theo de Rooij Classic 2011
The next Theo de Rooij Classic will be held on Saturday May 28, 2011. Several new elements will be a...

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Autobiography
Friday March 6. Yesterday I concluded the process of writing and preparation of my book 'beZIELd',...

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Life & work

For almost 30 years I have been active in the scene of international cycling: 11 years as a professional rider, then 12 years as a director sportif and almost 4 years as general director of one of the best teams in the international peloton, Rabobank. This represents also the largest sport sponsoring project in The Netherlands ever.

During my extensive career I contributed to several big cycling successes from riders like Belgians Eric Vanderaerden, Eddy Planckaert, Spanish Oscar Freire, Danish Rolf Sörensen, and also Italian Maurizio Fondriest, German Olaf Ludwig and -off course- Erik+Thomas Dekker, Michael Boogerd, Robert Gesink, Lars Boom and Sven Nys.

By the end of 1995 -among others- Jan Raas asked me to help create the Rabobank Cycling Plan. Developing business plans, recruiting riders and staff, composing the rooster of races and staff management represented the most important issues of my work, beside my work as director sportif. Furthermore I was maintaining all international contacts with –amongst others- cycling bodies and riders managers. Later, as general director, my management package of tasks was extended with issues like policy, development of young riders (continental team), budget planning and control, contacts with sponsors, negotiating contracts with riders and staff, etc. The Rabobank Cycling Teams comprise a total of more than 100 people. In my in March 2009 published autobiography ‘Bezield’ I am presenting the reader an original sketch of my life in top sports.

The World and sport are my playing grounds. Management, coaching, organising and communication are the most important issues of my work. Knowledge of the foremost European languages (French, English, German, Italian and Spanish) is a key factor. During my sports career I have been able to work on an extensive international network, still extremely useful in the execution of my daily work and the realization of my projects; such as:

• Representing and advising several professional cyclists
  
• Lectures and clinics
  
• TDRbike: the realization of a totally new and own concept of a pedal assisted bicycle with Dutch and Taiwanese partners, to be introduced on the European market in 2012. In the future we want to further develop the brand
  
• Advice and consultancy regarding sports matters
  
• Organising the election and award ceremony of the best riders of the year, as president of the ‘Club48’
  
• The yearly Theo de Rooij Classic bike tour, to be held on May 28 in 2011
  
• Race director and member of the organizing committee of the ‘Ronde van Overijssel’, the most important bike race in our province

Theo de Rooij