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From Chemo to European Championships: Yuli van der Molen’s Inspiring Track Cycling Comeback
A year ago, Yuli van der Molen was battling cancer. This week, the 22-year-old Dutch track cyclist makes her highly anticipated debut at the European Championships, competing in an notable three events.
This remarkable comeback story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering dedication of an athlete. For sports enthusiasts, it’s a powerful reminder of the grit and determination that define elite competition, echoing the spirit of athletes like Lance Armstrong (despite his controversies) who have overcome immense personal challenges to return to their sport.
Van der Molen’s journey took a dramatic turn at just twenty years old when she was diagnosed with hodgkin’s disease, a form of lymphatic cancer.While often treatable, her diagnosis came at the most challenging stage: the fourth and final stage.
“I had a very bad season in 2023, in which I did not finish races and often felt bad,” van der Molen shared. “I just didn’t think at the time that I would have cancer.”
The initial signs were subtle, easily dismissed as the physical toll of a demanding sport. However, a persistent physical anomaly eventually sparked concern.
“It was only when I felt a bump after that season at a training camp in Spain that I had a suspicion,” she recounted.”I didn’t want to tell my mother at first as she had also had lymphoma, but it popped out during the video call. I saw enough from her face.”
The gravity of the situation became undeniable on December 28, 2023, when she consulted her doctor.The medical professional’s reaction underscored the seriousness of her condition.
The Road to Recovery: A Grueling Battle
The subsequent months were a blur of chemotherapy treatments, a grueling ordeal that tested van der Molen’s physical and mental fortitude to its limits. For any athlete, the prospect of undergoing such intensive medical intervention is daunting. Imagine a star quarterback sidelined by a career-ending injury, only to face a prolonged recovery that questions their ability to ever play again. Van der Molen faced a similar, albeit more life-threatening, challenge.
Her recovery wasn’t just about regaining physical strength; it was about rebuilding the mental resilience required to return to the unforgiving world of elite track cycling. This journey often involves a deep dive into sports psychology, focusing on visualization, positive self-talk, and managing the fear of re-injury or relapse.
A New Chapter: European Championships Debut
Now, less than a year after her chemotherapy treatments concluded, van der Molen is poised to compete on the European stage. Her decision to enter three events – a demanding schedule for any cyclist, let alone one returning from such a significant health battle – speaks volumes about her ambition and confidence.
This comeback is particularly inspiring for young athletes in the U.S. who may face their own health challenges. It highlights the importance of early detection, robust healthcare systems, and the power of a strong support network.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Yuli van der Molen?
Van der Molen’s performance at the European Championships will be closely watched.Her ability to compete at this level after such a profound health crisis raises questions about the long-term effects of cancer treatment on athletic performance and the potential for other athletes to achieve similar comebacks.
Further inquiry into the specific training protocols and recovery strategies employed by van der Molen could offer valuable insights for athletes and medical professionals alike. Additionally, exploring the psychological impact of such a journey on an athlete’s mindset and competitive drive would be a compelling area for future reporting.
Yuli van der Molen’s story is more than just a sports article; it’s a powerful narrative of hope, perseverance, and the indomitable spirit of an athlete who refused to let cancer define her future. Her presence at the European Championships is a victory in itself, inspiring countless individuals to face their own challenges with courage and determination.
A diagnosis was not yet forthcoming, but the message was clear: this must be investigated. Promptly afterwards she traveled to Apeldoorn for the National Championships pair race. There she came third on the same day, as if it had no effect on her.
“But a day later I was worthless and fully collapsed.”
When I try to help her, she listens and doesn’t whine easily.
Seemingly effortlessly, Van der Molen’s story flies from one traumatic experience to another. she tells it without a tremble in her voice in one flowing stream of words. As if she’s talking about an afternoon of shopping.
“I can barely remember the moment I was told I had cancer. I was just crying and everything went past me. I only remember that they doubted whether it was bone cancer. Then I thoght: then maybe it all ends here.”
As a listener you are sometimes shocked by the content of her words, which do not match the light-hearted way in which they are spoken. Did she mean her top sports career or her life? “I’ve heard so many stories of people not being cured of bone cancer”
After a cautious smile. “Yes, quite intense actually.”
She talks about it so easily as her story has never been a secret. On the YouTube account ‘de Molentjes | Cancer Journey Yuli’ has documented her entire journey in 22 weekly vlogs. It is a hyper-realistic representation. Van der Molen at her most vulnerable, crying in her mother’s lap for four minutes. Uncut, unfiltered.
But besides the pain you also see the recovery. As the weeks progressed, Van der Molen’s zest for life returned.
Van der Molen lost her hair due to chemotherapy the summer of 2025, a year after the last recovery vlog was uploaded, was a turning point for the rider.she is a second cousin of Niki Terpstra and accompanied him on a camper holiday to Lake Annecy. “Like real Dutch people,” says Terpstra.
“We had a nice cycle there,” says the winner of Paris-Roubaix in 2014. “If she has a problem, I try to steer her in the right direction. I tried to make it clear to her that she should build everything up slowly and not rush it.”
“I have had my own setbacks,” he continues. “And then you want to return quickly. Faster than is healthy. If you watch from a distance, you can put things into perspective much better. And she has character. when I try to help her, she listens and doesn’t squeak easily.”
into the breach
Maike van der Duin is not fit in time to defend their European title on the pair race together with Van Belle,so van der Molen steps into the breach. She rides together with Van belle. She also competes in the elimination race and the team pursuit.
“The pairing race is on Thursday, February 5, and that is my mother’s birthday,” says Van der Molen. “So when I was told that I could drive, I immediately called her proudly. Then she said that the whole family will sit on the couch to see how I will do. I always feel their support.”
Yuli van der Molen (L) and Lisa van Belle on the podium of the European Championship pairing race for promises in 2025
