Dennis van Niekerk RSA

Youtube Video

Biography

Dennis held a fulltime job in the information technology sector before giving all his attention to cycling. Needless to say, teammates appreciate his ability to fix their computers while on tour. He is most grateful to his dad for supporting him in his dream of becoming a professional. He won the Tour de Luzon in the Philippines in 2010 and joined Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung the following year. He had a breakout tour in 2011 in the Tour de Langkawi when he finished 4th overall. He describes it as his best moment on the bike and particularly enjoyed sprinting for the bonus seconds during the stage. “It was crazy. We were sprinting for time on the overall while the sprinters were going for points for the jersey so it was just chaos,” Dennis said. He gained confidence in 2013 when he raced in the Professional Continental ranks for the first time finishing 6th in the Tour of Korea and a credible 25th in the Tour of Austria.

Favourite race?
Tour de Langkawi

What has been your best moment on bike?
The 2011 Tour de Langkawi has to be my favourite. I was in 4th place, 1 second behind third place. We were sprinting for the time bonues against the sprinters to fight for podium positions.

Who has had the most influence on your cycling career and why?
My dad and former professional Jock Green. Jock taught me a lot about tactics. My dad supported me especially financially to get to a good level and to turn professional.

Rider you most admire and why?
Alberto Contador. I love his attacking style on the climbs.

If you were not in professional cycling what would you be doing right now?
Probably working at an IT company. I am a technology freak and worked in IT before riding my bike fulltime.

What’s your relationship status?
Girlfriend

Facebook or Twitter?
Both

Any other secret talents besides cycling?
I would have to say IT again. I am good at fixing teammates laptops on tour.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2013 1º in Stage 5 Tour de Korea, Chungju (Ch’ungch’ong-bukto), South-Korea + Kristian Sbaragli, Martin Wesemann, Johan Van Zyl, Louis Meintjes,
2013 5º in Stage 6 Tour de Korea, Yangyang (Kangwon-do), South-Korea
2013 6º in General Classification Tour de Korea, South-Korea
2013 10º in Stage 3 Tour de Langkawi, Cameron Highlands (MAS)

2012 3º in Satellite Challenge (RSA)
2012 7º in Stage 7 Volta a Portugal, Sabugal (POR)
2012 9º in General Classification Flèche du Sud (LUX)
2012 9º in General Classification Tour de Langkawi (MAS)
2012 10º in Stage 6 Tour de Langkawi, Genting Highlands (MAS)
2012 10º in General Classification Tour du Maroc (MAR)

2011 2º in Stage 2 Anatomic Jock Race (RSA)
2011 4º in Stage 5 Tour de Langkawi, Genting Highlands (MAS)
2011 4º in General Classification Tour de Langkawi (MAS)
2011 5º in General Classification Anatomic Jock Race (RSA)
2011 7º in Stage 8 Tour of China (a), Dujiangyan (CHN)

2010 1º in General Classification Tour de Luzon (PHI)
2010 2º in Stage 5 Tour de Luzon, Clark (PHI)
2010 2º in Stage 7 Tour de Luzon, Subic (PHI)
2010 2º in Dome 2 Dome Roadrace (RSA)
2010 3º in Stage 8 Tour de Luzon, Subic (PHI)
2010 3º in Stage 9 Tour de Luzon, Ayala (PHI)