International Youthtour History

In 1960 Assen started with local circuit races. These races where for youngsters on normal bikes. The children entered and were lead by adults. They would ride a set amount of kilometers as a group and after the break the last kilometers where raced. Two years later the founder Harrie Brander with the help of the Brabants cycle union organized the first Youth Tour of Assen. Working together they encouraged more and more cyclist to take part. The equipment of the brabant cyclist was much better, because there the cycle racing was much more advanced. This was a problem to equip the youngsters from this region. But in 1982 they managed to this by asking 7 companies here in the North of Holland to sponsor 7 local teams with 8 teams from the south of the country. Then the Youth Tour got an international touch with a team from Belgium. The Youth Tour grow and needed more and more voluntary workers to keep it going. After a while the technical side of the event was supported by the KNWU. Meanwhile the Youth Tour has expanded and in the biggest youth cycle event in Europe. Many top racing cyclist have taken part in the Youth Tour and won. Names talked about, Peter Winnen, Leon van Bon, Michael Boogerd, Leontien van Moorsel, And naturally Erik Dekker who has won the youth tour twice. The winner of 2002 junior-ladies, Suzanne de Goede of Holland became world champion in Zolder with Monica holler of Sweden coming third. A national television sport presenter asked Suzanne if she new of Monica Holler. She said “Yes, from the Assen Youth Tour”…… The Winner of 2004 Loes Markerink became later also in Hamilton, Canada, World-champion!