Leontien van Moorsel is one of the most successful female athletes in the Netherlands. During her career as a cyclist, she won numerous titles. Leontien’s success began in the late 1980s with Dutch national titles in road racing and time trials. Before long, ‘Tinus’ broke through internationally. She became a world champion in road racing and won the women’s Tour de France twice in a row.
More Successful Than Ever
As her performances at the highest level improved, so did the pressure. Early in her career, Leontien found it difficult to cope with this pressure. At the time, her life revolved entirely around training and racing. In 1994, she paid the price for her intense commitment to the sport. Her body was exhausted and she suffered a breakdown. With the support of her partner and former cyclist Michael Zijlaard, Leontien recovered and returned after a two-year break. She became more successful than ever, winning four Olympic titles, multiple world titles, and a world hour record following her comeback.
Leontien Foundation
At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Leontien concluded her career on the highest stage in style, winning a gold and a bronze medal. Afterwards, she managed her own cycling team for a while. She then started her own company, launching her own line of corporate cycling clothing. In 2008, she founded the Leontien Foundation. Through the foundation, Leontien supported initiatives related to eating disorders. On July 9, 2015, she and Queen Máxima opened the Leontienhuis, a drop-in center where visitors can receive support in finding balance in their lives.
