NOS Cycling•
This year there was a new event on the program at the National Track Cycling Championships in Apeldoorn: the 250 meters with standing start. It was not surprising that the title went to Harrie Lavreysen, but there was a striking number two: Niek Kimmann.
Kimmann became Olympic champion in BMX in 2021 and could use an extra training incentive. He has trained on the track before, but did not have the right equipment.
And so Kimmann was having coffee with Lavreysen on Sunday morning. He came to pick up the suit he was allowed to borrow. To get extra practice time on the track, Kimmann had also registered for the sprint and so he was able to immediately ask his friend Lavreysen, seven-time world champion in that event, for some tips.
“Harrie helped me a lot, even during the sprint tournament. He won all his heats himself, but in between he was also busy giving me advice. You can imagine how good he is.”
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Niek Kimmann started the day at the kitchen table with Harrie Lavreysen… -
…then cycled towards the Apeldoorn cycling track… -
…made a mistake in qualifying for the sprint tournament… -
…and eventually lost to Loris Leneman in the quarterfinals.
The 29-year-old Kimmann himself performed well. The curtain fell for him in the quarter-finals.
In qualifying for the sprint, Kimmann had made another rookie mistake: “Yes, I stopped 12 meters too early haha. I had practiced on the finish line of the 250 meters and I now did that on autopilot. But that cost me less than a tenth.”
Silver at National Championships
A day later, Kimmann took action in the 250 meters with a standing start. He covered the distance in 18.048 seconds and took silver behind the unapproachable Harrie Lavreysen (17.692).
“This part comes closest to BMX. Although the differences are still enormous. For example, we ride with much higher gears here than in BMX.”
Kimmann looks back on his performance with satisfaction. “I’m super happy. It was fun to do and it went well. I wanted to get a time around 18 seconds and I succeeded.”
Does his performance at the National Championships leave you wanting more? “That’s a good question. At this point it was mainly a good extra training.”
Kimmann may have finished second, but did not see himself as a serious contender for gold. “I could only finish second because Hoogland and Van den Berg did not participate. Together with Lavreysen, they are the absolute world top. I have no illusions that I can beat those men.”
Kimmann gets along well with the trio that has been so successful in the team sprint for years. “They all come from BMX and are good friends of mine. I really enjoy watching them.”
I’m not yet in the top shape I was a few years ago, but I’m on the right track
Does Kimmann ever see himself as part of the team sprint? “That is completely out of the question. Those boys became Olympic champions in Paris last year with a world record.” Yet Kimmann does not completely close the door on the future. “It could be, but my heart is in BMX.”
2028 Games
Kimmann suffered from an inflamed heart muscle in 2024 and was especially happy that he was able to ride without complaints again. “I’m not yet in my top form from a few years ago, but I’m on the right track. Things like this like the National Track Cycling Championships help with that.”
“A goal for 2026 is the World Cup in Papendal. I want to qualify there for the World Cup in Australia.” As far as BMX is concerned, the sights are also set on the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. “I was not there in Paris and that was very sad. I did not have a chance to defend my medal then. It would be very nice to be there again in 2028.”
Dutch champions 2025
| women | men | |
| Sprint | Van der Peet | lavresen |
| Keirin | Wiebes | lavresen |
| Kilometer | Van der Peet | Roman |
| Individual pursuit | Bredewold | Megens |
| Points race | From Belle | Heijnen |
| Scratch | Wiebes | Hoppezak |
| Waste rate | Wiebes | Schaper |
| Of all things | Wiebes | From Ship |
| Couple rate | Van Belle/Wiebes | Hoppezak/Dorenbos |
| 250 m standing start | Kidney | lavresen |
