Jeroen Blijlevens

Last updated
Jeroen Blijlevens
Jeroen Blijlevens Ruta del Sol 95.jpg
Personal information
Full nameJeroen Johannes Hendrikus Blijlevens
NicknameJerommeke
Born (1971-12-29) 29 December 1971 (age 52)
Gilze en Rijen, the Netherlands
Height1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight70 kg (154 lb; 11 st 0 lb)
Team information
DisciplineRoad
Role
Rider typeSprinter
Professional teams
1994–1999 TVM–Farm Frites
2000 Team Polti
2001 Lotto–Adecco
2002 Domo–Farm Frites
2003–2004 BankGiroLoterij–Batavus
Managerial teams
2005–2007Eurogifts.com
2010–2012 Nederland Bloeit
2013 Blanco Pro Cycling
2017–2020 WM3 Pro Cycling
Major wins
Grand Tours
Tour de France
4 individual stages (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
Giro d'Italia
2 individual stages (1999)
Vuelta a España
5 individual stages (1995, 1996, 1998, 1999)

Jeroen Johannes Hendrikus Blijlevens (born 29 December 1971) is a retired road bicycle racer from the Netherlands, who was a professional rider from 1994 to 2004. He most recently worked as a directeur sportif for UCI Women's WorldTeam CCC Liv, [1] and has also worked as a cycling co-commentator at Eurosport Netherlands.

Contents

Nicknamed Jerommeke, he was one of Holland's leading sprinters in the 1990s, claiming a total of 11 stage victories across the three Grand Tours (Tour de France, Vuelta a España and Giro d'Italia). He won a total number of 74 races in his professional career.

Biography

Blijlevens was born in Gilze en Rijen, North Brabant in 1971, as a son of a shoe sales man. In 1990, he won his first race as an amateur. [2] He scored nineteen victories as an amateur, [2] and at the end of 1993 was signed by Cees Priem for TVM–Bison Kit. [3] Blijlevens showed good results in his first years, and in 1995 was selected to ride the Tour de France, [4] where he won the fifth stage. [2] Blijlevens, not a good climber, left the race before the Alps. [5]

In 1996, Blijlevens again won a stage in the Tour de France. In 1997, he finished second to Erik Zabel in the sixth stage of the Tour de France, but when the jury disqualified Zabel for irregular sprinting, the victory was given to Blijlevens. [6] In 1998 Blijlevens won the fourth stage of the Tour. That Tour was full of doping allegations, also towards the TVM team, and as soon as the race had passed the French-Swiss border, Blijlevens left the race, as a protest against the treatments by the French police. [7]

In 1999, Blijlevens wore the pink jersey as leader of the general classification in the Giro d'Italia, after winning the third stage. [8] After the events of 1998, the TVM team was excluded from the 1999 Tour de France. The cyclists of TVM started a legal procedure to force the Tour organisers to invite them, but failed. [9] At the end of that year, Blijlevens left TVM for Team Polti.

In 2000, Blijlevens invested in his climbing-abilities, but this did not work out as planned, and Blijlevens was not as successful as before. He failed to win a stage in the Tour de France, and was even disqualified after finishing the last stage for seeking out and assaulting Bobby Julich. [10] When Polti stopped as a sponsor at the end of the year, Blijlevens signed for Lotto–Adecco for 2001. [11]

In 2001, Blijlevens rode the Giro d'Italia, where the Italian police raided his team's hotel, but no forbidden products were found. As a protest against this treatment, the cyclists refused to start the eighteenth stage. [12]

At the end of 2001, Blijlevens could not find a new team, and made plans to ride as an amateur again, [13] but finally he signed a contract for one year at Domo–Farm Frites. Blijlevens rode for a low base salary, with bonuses for victories. [14] After a year full of injuries, Blijlevens was not given a contract for 2003, and switched to the BankGiroLoterij–Batavus team. [15]

After his retirement at the end of 2004, Blijlevens made plans to break the speed record on a bicycle, [16] but failed to do so.

Doping

In June 2013 he became sports director of the new Blanco Pro Cycling team, and as part of a Dutch nationwide doping inquiry signed a statement saying he had never used doping. [17] In July he was named in a French Senate report as one of many cyclists who had tested positive for EPO during retesting of samples from the 1998 Tour de France, [18] Blijlevens then confessed that he had used EPO since 1997, and that he had lied in the investigation because he wanted to keep his job. [19]

Major results

1992
1st PWZ Zuidenveld Tour
1993
1st GP de Lillers
1995
1st Draai van de Kaai
1st Profronde van Pijnacker
1st Ronde van Midden-Zeeland
1st Trofeo Alcudia
1st Stage 5 Tour de France
1st Stage 10 Vuelta a España
1996
1st Draai van de Kaai
1st Trofeo Mallorca
1st Profronde van Heerlen
1st Stage 5 Tour de France
1st Stage 5 Vuelta a España
1997
1st Hengelo
1st Veenendaal–Veenendaal
1st Profronde van Wateringen
1st Profronde van Surhuisterveen
1st Stage 6 Tour de France
1998
1st Woerden
1st Stage 4 Tour de France
Vuelta a España
1st Stages 2 & 5
1999
1st Grand Prix de Denain
1st Profronde van Pijnacker
1st Trofeo Mallorca
1st Nokere Koerse
1st Scheldeprijs
1st Profronde van Stiphout
1st Dwars door Gendringen
1st Stage 21 Vuelta a España
Giro d'Italia
1st Stages 3 & 7
2000
1st Mijl van Mares
2003
1st Ruddervoorde

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger De Vlaeminck</span> Belgian cyclist

Roger De Vlaeminck is a Belgian former professional racing cyclist. He was described by Rik Van Looy as "The most talented and the only real classics rider of his generation". Nicknamed "The Gypsy" because he was born into a family of traveling clothiers, he is known for exploits in the cobbled classic Paris–Roubaix race, but his performances in other "Monument" races gave him a record that few can match. His record in Paris–Roubaix earned him another nickname, "Monsieur Paris–Roubaix".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Tour de France</span> Cycling race

The 1980 Tour de France was the 67th edition of the Tour de France. The total distance was 3,842 km (2,387 mi) over 22 stages. In the first half of the race, Bernard Hinault started out strong by winning the prologue and two stages. However, knee problems forced Hinault to abandon the race while still in the lead. Joop Zoetemelk became the new leader, and defended that position successfully. Just as in 1979, when Hinault and Zoetemelk finished nearly a half hour ahead of the rest of the field, the 1980 edition was a battle between these two riders until Hinault abandoned. At the time Hinault was just 21 seconds ahead of Zoetemelk and the race was about to enter the Pyrenees. Zoetemelk did not wear the yellow jersey during stage 13 though he did in every stage thereafter finishing the race with nearly a seven-minute advantage over second place Hennie Kuiper. It was his first Tour victory in his tenth attempt, after already having finished second in five editions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1991 Tour de France</span> Cycling race

The 1991 Tour de France was the 78th edition of the Tour de France, taking place from 6 to 28 July. The total race distance was 22 stages over 3,914 km (2,432 mi). The race was won by Miguel Induráin, whose Banesto team also won the team classification. The points classification was won by Djamolidine Abdoujaparov, although he almost crashed out in the final stage. The mountains classification was won by Claudio Chiappucci, and the young rider classification by Álvaro Mejía.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1983 Tour de France</span> Cycling race

The 1983 Tour de France was the 70th edition of the Tour de France, run from 1 to 24 July, with 22 stages and a prologue covering a total distance of 3,809 km (2,367 mi) The race was won by French rider Laurent Fignon. Sean Kelly of Ireland won the points classification, and Lucien Van Impe of Belgium won the mountains classification.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesper Skibby</span> Danish cyclist

Jesper Skibby is a retired professional road racing cyclist. He won at least one stage at each of the major tours. He was one of the most popular in Denmark, not only because of his talent, but also because of his wit and his constant banter. He rode for the Dutch TVM from 1989 to 1997, but switched to the Danish team Team home - Jack & Jones in 1998, where he ended his active career in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TVM (cycling team)</span>

TVM was a Dutch road bicycle racing team. It folded in 2000, two years after suffering a doping scandal. Farm Frites continued as a sponsor in 2001 with the new team, Domo–Farm Frites–Latexco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven de Jongh</span> Dutch cyclist (born 1973)

Steven de Jongh is a Dutch former road bicycle racer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerben Karstens</span> Dutch cyclist (1942–2022)

Gerben Karstens was a Dutch professional racing cyclist, who won the gold medal in the 100 km team trial at the 1964 Summer Olympics, alongside Bart Zoet, Evert Dolman, and Jan Pieterse. At the same Olympics he finished 27th in the individual road race. Karstens ranks 6th in all-time stage wins in Vuelta a España history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bart Voskamp</span> Dutch cyclist (born 1968)

Bertus ("Bart") Voskamp is a retired road bicycle racer from the Netherlands, who was a professional rider from 1993 to 2005. He competed in five Tours de France. He also competed in the team time trial at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Gesink</span> Dutch road bicycle racer

Robert Gesink is a Dutch professional cyclist, who rides for UCI WorldTeam Visma–Lease a Bike. His major victories include the 2012 Tour of California, the 2011 Tour of Oman and the 2010 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. Gesink also won the Giro dell'Emilia twice and offered some good performances on Grand Tours and one-week stage races, thanks in part to his climbing and time trialing abilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ján Svorada</span> Czech cyclist

Ján Svorada is a retired Slovak and Czech road racing cyclist.

PDM was a Dutch professional cycling team from 1986 until the end of 1992. Gin-MG was co-sponsor in Spanish races and Cidona was co-sponsor in the 1991 Nissan Classic. The team was sponsored by Philips Dupont Magnetics, a joint venture between the electronics company, Philips, and the chemical company, DuPont. The team rode Concorde bicycles, manufactured in Italy, by several builders that were colour coordinated to the team jersey by Ultima.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serguei Outschakov</span> Ukrainian cyclist

Serguei Outschakov is a Ukrainian former road bicycle racer. He won stages in all three Grand Tours. In 1997 Tour de France he finished first in the 11th stage but was relegated to third place for not holding his line in the final sprint. His Tour de France stage victory came in 1995 when he and Lance Armstrong broke away and Outschakov won in the sprint. According to the ESPN “30 for 30” documentary, “Lance”, the loss to Outschakov was the impetus for Armstrong’s decision to start taking EPO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maarten Ducrot</span> Dutch cyclist

Maarten Ducrot is a Dutch former professional road bicycle racer, and currently a cycling reporter for the Dutch television.

Mathieu Hermans is a Dutch former professional road bicycle racer. Mathieu Hermans was the Lanterne rouge of the Tour de France twice, in 1987 and 1989. He won a stage in the 1989 Tour de France. Hermans was more successful in the Vuelta a España, where he won 9 stages in total.

Gerhard Schönbacher is a former professional cyclist. Schönbacher was a professional cyclist for nine seasons, and rode the UCI World Championships seven times, but is mainly known for finishing last in the Tour de France in two consecutive years.

Philippe Tesnière was a professional cyclist between 1978 and 1981, finishing in last place in the 1978 Tour de France.

Jonkheer Roelof van Lennep was a Dutch male tennis player. He competed for the Netherlands in the tennis event at the 1908 Summer Olympics where he took part in the men's singles and men's doubles competitions.

References

  1. "Alison Jackson completes 2021 Liv Racing roster". Cyclingnews.com . Future plc. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2021. The Liv Racing team sees a change in management as technical advisor Lars Boom, who was brought in this season to help with the inaugural Women's Paris-Roubaix before it was cancelled, will replace sports director Jeroen Blijlevens.
  2. 1 2 3 "Blijlevens van de hel in de hemel". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 7 July 1995. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. "Priem lijft amateur Blijlevens in". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 6 October 1993. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. "Blijlevens mee naar de Tour". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 26 June 1995. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. "Blijlevens trekt zwembroek aan". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 10 July 1995. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. "Blijlevens heeft toch zijn parel". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 12 July 1997. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. "Jeroen Blijlevens: een sprinter op de vlucht". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 31 July 1998. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. "Een tweede plaats telt niet voor mij". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 18 May 1999. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. "TVM spant civiele procedure aan". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 19 June 1999. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. "Blijlevens gediskwalificeerd na handgemeen met Julich". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 24 June 2000. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  11. "Blijlevens naar Lotto". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 12 October 2000. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  12. "Politie-inval in Giro déjà-vu voor Blijlevens". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 12 October 2000. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  13. "Blijlevens: 'Ik denk dat ik bij de amateurs ga rijden'". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 11 October 2001. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  14. "'In het buitenland is nog altijd geloof in Blijlevens'". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 15 November 2001. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. "Blijlevens naar Bankgiroloterij". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 3 December 2002. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  16. "Blijlevens wil snelste ter wereld zijn". Leidsch Dagblad (in Dutch). Regionaal Archief Leiden. 3 December 2002. Retrieved 25 July 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  17. "Moet Jeroen Blijlevens nu weg bij Belkin?". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). 25 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  18. José Been (2012-11-28). "Belkin Sports Director Jeroen Blijlevens Implicated In French Senate's Report". Cyclingnews.com. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
  19. Been, José (25 July 2013). "Blijlevens leaves Belkin over 1998 Tour de France EPO evidence". Cyclingnews. Future Publishing Limited. Retrieved 25 July 2013.