Date of Birth: 6th November 1993
Nationality: Dutch
Team: Chevalmeire
Former Teams: Experza-Footlogic, Lares-Waowdeals, Rabobank
Career Achievements:
1st – World Cyclocross Championship 2016, European Cyclocross Championship 2016, Stage Giro d’Italia Feminile 2016, Erondegemse Pijl 2015
2nd – GC Ladies Tour of Norway 2016, Stage Giro d’Italia Feminile 2016, Stage Giro Tel Trentino 2016, Stage Boels Rental Ladies Tour 2015, GC Tour de Bretagne 2013
4th – Dwars door de Westhoek 2014, Omloop van het Hageland 2014
6th – GC Festival Elsy Jacobs 2014
Who taught you how to ride a bike & how old were you?
I started cycling in 2010 in the Junior Woman category, I was 16 years old. My dad did cycling for fun and I went a few times with him on an old and too big race bike. But I liked it and started riding then.
What was your first ‘proper’ road bike & what colour was it?
My first race bike was a Bianchi, white/green colour. Really loved the Bianchi bikes then. I bought it for myself.
What’s the most important piece of kit/advice that has helped boost your performance?
Having fun! I have a character that I do what I have to do.
What’s your favourite routes/places to ride?
For sure at home, flat, woods, wind and nice views. But I really like Provence: Bargemont and Nice. Nice area to climb and downhill, beautiful nature and good roads. Also not too many people so it is safe on the roads.
What tips do you have to keep the love of cycling going amidst all the training?
Have fun, do different kinds of training, different areas, good balance between training and rest. Different roads also.
What experiences are still to do on your cycling ‘bucket list’?
Want to race again in other countries, stage races, in combination with cyclocross. Also after my career, a trip to South of France with a bike or something like that. See a lot of countries by bike.
Thanks for reading about Thalita de Jong – more Women’s Cycling Profiles can be found here
