NOS Sport•
Harrie Lavreysen has been voted Sportsman of the Year 2025. The track cyclist received the award at the NOC*NSF Sports Gala in Papendal for his exceptionally strong season on the bike, in which he won four gold medals at the World Championships in Chile.
There, 28-year-old Lavreysen raced to world titles in the keirin, the sprint, the individual pursuit and the team sprint. He has won them all before, but never before has a track cyclist won four gold medals at one World Championship.
It is the second time in a row that Lavreysen has won the sports prize. Last year, the Brabander received the Jaap Eden Award for his three gold medals at the Paris Olympic Games, since then known as ‘Harrie’s hat trick’, and his three world titles at the World Championships in Denmark.
Lavreysen voted Sportsman of the Year for the second time in a row: ‘What an honor’
In 2024, the jury chose Lavreysen over Mathieu van der Poel, Max Verstappen and Abdi Nageeye. This year the other nominees were Jenning de Boo and again Van der Poel.
Skater De Boo became world champion in the 500 meters and European sprint champion. Van der Poel won cycling monuments Paris-Roubaix and Milan-Sanremo last year. He also made an impression in the Tour de France by cycling in the yellow jersey for several days.
Para sportsman of the year: Niels Vink
Earlier in the evening, wheelchair tennis player Niels Vink was named Parasportsman of the year for the first time in his career. The 23-year-old Helmonder received the award for the two Grand Slam victories he won this year. Vink won Wimbledon and the US Open.
The jury chose Vink, who succeeds Jetze Plat, over swimmer Rogier Dorsman and pararoad cyclist Mitch Valize. Dorsman extended his world title in the 100 meter breaststroke (SB11). Valize became world champion on the road for the tenth time and took gold in the time trial for the fifth time.
Emotional Vink elected Parasportsman of 2025: ‘This one is for you, boss’
