SOEST – Gold for Ireen Wüst, gold for Kjeld Nuis. They are Dutch Olympic successes, but they are also, and perhaps especially, successes of Team Reggeborgh, in the competition with Jumbo Visma and Zaanlander.
The team led by Gerard van Velde now has two gold medals. Soester Wesly Dijs rides for Team Reggeborgh and enjoys the performance of his teammates. “Of course I would have preferred to drive there myself,” says the 1,000 and 1,500 meter specialist. “But if you are not there yourself, you hope that your teammates achieve the highest possible. And that is going quite well at the moment.”
It is difficult for Dijs to say which of the two gold medals he likes best. “It is the fifth Games at Ireen, which is very unique. But that Kjeld wins the 1,500 meters twice in a row is also unique. They are both very great champions and it is great to train with them every day.”
Three more medals
While the Netherlands is enjoying the successes of Team NL, Dijs looks at the Games with a completely different view. “I mainly look as a member of Team Reggeborgh. You hope that the people you train with every day are doing well. But I also think it’s nice when other Dutch skaters drive very fast.”
De Soester does not expect that it will remain with the current successes for his team. “Apart from the color, I think there will be three more medals. Ireen has a good chance of the team pursuit, Hein Otterspeer in the 1,000 meters and our two sprint ladies (Femke Kok and Michelle de Jong, ed.) can also provide a surprise I think.”
Looking forward to next season
Dijs himself moves in the shadows as a skater during these Olympic Games. “I have just come back from a training camp in Collalbo. We have some national competitions here, which I will drive. We have to stay fit and get ready for next season.”
The question is where a skater, who had the dream to be in Beijing and now trains in Europe and participates in small competitions, gets the motivation from. “You have to let go of that a little bit. I have to improve myself now. Next season a new four-year cycle will start.”
Dijs can learn a lot from his golden teammates. “They are real winners. They know exactly what they need. That is the most important thing for an athlete, that you know how to get better.”
Do you have a tip or comment? Send us your news or photo via whatsapp or email.