Jan Pronk (cyclist)
 Jan Pronk in 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 19 October 1918 Den Helder, Netherlands | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 15 March 2016 (aged 97) Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Cycling | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Jan Pronk (October 19, 1918 – March 15, 2016) was a Dutch professional cyclist who specialized in motor-paced racing. In this discipline he won five medals at the world championships, including a gold medal in 1951.[1][2]
That gold medal was controversial because of the assistance of his compatriot Kees Bakker. At the end of the race, Bakker, a 35-year-old veteran at the time, was exactly one lap behind Pronk, who was in the lead. Then, up to the finish line, Bakker rode behind Pronk, covering him from attacks by the competitors. There were speculations that Bakker was paid by Pronk before the race; nevertheless, these tactics were then banned at competitions.[3]
References
- ^ Jan Pronk. radsportseiten.net
- ^ Track Cycling World Championships 2012 to 1893. bikecult.com
- ^ Kees BAKKER (1916, overleden 31.03.1988, Nederland). wielersport.slogblog.nl