In April 2002, one of the UCI International Commissaires working at the Ronde van Drenthe, the Netherlands, was a certain Brian Cookson.
Now, thirteen years later and as the event celebrates its 55th anniversary, Mr Cookson is looking forward to returning to Hoogeveen, Drenthe, in his role of President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
“I have very good memories of the race, its excellent organisation, the friendly welcome and a testing course through the forest with many narrow cobbled stretches,” says Mr Cookson.
Of particular interest to the UCI President when he returns to Drenthe this weekend will be the professional women’s racing. When Mr Cookson was Commissaire, the women’s race was five years old. Now the event – which includes a men’s race that is part of the UCI Europe Tour - boasts three races for women, notably the Boels Rental World Cup which takes place this year on March 14th and will once again open the UCI Women Road World Cup season.
Femmy and Huub van Issum are the driving force behind the Ronde van Drenthe. They took over the organisation from the event’s founder, Femmy van Issum’s father, and are particularly proud to have introduced and developed the women’s races.
“They were definitely among the pioneers when it comes to the development of women’s cycling,” says Mr Cookson. “As President of the UCI I have the greatest respect for organisers who have made such long-term commitments to our sport, and to women’s racing in particular. Their passion and energy is vital and their legacy will last for years to come.”
Mr Cookson has kept in occasional contact with the van Issums, and last saw them at the UCI Women Road World Cup seminar held in Montreux, Switzerland, last December.
“He always takes time for a little talk and has been very interested in our races,” says Huub van Issum. “We are very proud that he will be coming to Drenthe in March. I think he is the first UCI President to come to our event.
“He will see some changes since he was here in 2002. We are happy that women’s racing is growing. It is important for the UCI and for women’s cycling,” says Mr van Issum.
Mr Cookson concludes: “Developing women’s cycling is one of my priorities as President of the UCI and I was very quick to nominate the UCI’s first woman Vice-President and establish a Women’s Commission. Last year women’s cycling made some significant steps forward, and we are extremely fortunate to benefit from the experience of organisers such as those in Drenthe, who have been hosting top class women’s events for many years.”