Memories of Assen

Throughout the years many of our participants made it to the pro ranks. As a Eurosport cycling commentator it’s always great to see names on the start list of boys and girls I saw in Assen, sometimes even from the age of eight years old. Ben Tulett of the Ineos Grenadiers looks back at his years in Assen when I met him in the Clasíca San Sebastián. With two cyclocross world titles and three pro wins already, Ben looks back at Assen with fondness.

“I have fantastic memories from Assen. It’s where my roots are,” Ben said. “It was my first time competing on the continent. The Jeugdtour is such a great opportunity from such a young age to compete against people from all over the world. It was so amazing to race there. I am still racing people I met when I was eight years old. The biggest lesson was learning how to race six days. Every day was fun. You learn what cycling is about. You really learn about the basics. If you have the opportunity to go as a young rider, do it. It’s memories for a lifetime.”

Thomas Gloag is the oldest of the Gloag family. His younger brother Tiger raced in category 6 this year. Thomas is now a pro with the Jumbo-Visma team after winning stages in the Tour de l’Avenir and Ronde de l’Isard in 2022. He finished his first Grand Tour this year in the Giro d’Italia.

“I never won back then,” Thomas smiles. “I barely got in the top ten I think but it’s such a great experience. The bunches are so much bigger than back at home. I learned so much from the riders in the Netherlands who were technically so much better. I got smashed on the cobbles and in the wind and the rain but it was the best fun ever.”

Brother Tiger finished in 31st place this week in a rain-soaked Assen.

“Being part of a cycling family helps me a lot because everyone knows how to help me before a race,” Tiger said. “My family knows that your level in youth categories might change when you grow older. I am a small rider compared to my opponents, like my brother Thomas used to be. When he grew, he became a much better cyclist. That’s a great example for me. I don’t know if I want to become a pro rider as well. For now, I am really enjoying cycling and if it stays like that, I might want to be a pro someday.”
By José Been