After one year dedicated to study, I finally received my International Master of Sport Management diploma. Whilst I found it was tough to be in class again from time to time, I feel tremendously proud that I could complete this study program with good grades. I attended class 2-3 days a week during the study year at the Johan Cruyff Institute for Sport Studies in Amsterdam. The Institute provided me with the opportunity to follow this program, and I studied a lot with fellow former cyclist Danny Nelissen.

There were also other ex athletes in my class, including Jochem Uytdehaage (Ice Skating) and two field hockey internationals, one from Spain and one from Germany. Most other students were individuals who followed the program in addition to their regular 40-hour working week. These students included a lawyer, a journalist and a facility manager from the NOC*NSF (the Dutch Olympic Committee).

Althought I hadn't attended classes for many years, it wasn't hard to return to school. The classes were very interesting because we discussed various sport subjects, and the reading and studying at home wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.

The most challenging part was the assignments at the end of the course, in the lead up to the Business Plan. For sport marketing, we had to make a sound recommendation for the Olympic Games Amsterdam 2028. Something we explored was - for example - how you can use existing venues for the upcoming games. We also discussed how you can motivate the Dutch people to get more involved. You had to find out everything yourself and had to use the books and theories to justify your report and present it to the class.

We also investigated the reasons for a company to become involved in sport sponsoring. I focussed on the Rabobank, since it is - of course - a company I know very well because of its involvement in Cycling, and I was part of the Rabobank Cycling Team for many years. We also had to examine a sport hero as a brand. I choose Oscar Freire, since I admire 'Oscarito' very much.

Now that I have completed this study program, I feel a new phase of my life has begun. Looking back, I think it was a good decision to contemplate on my life when my career as a cyclist came to an end. The program enabled me to develop my knowledge and to find a new rhythm in my life. I now know what my assets are to work and participate in the business of sport. My vision on sport management has grown and developed. I notice the benefits already, as I am able to discuss certain subjects more profoundly with sport sponsors. You are now aware how certain things are based theoretically. As an athlete you didn’t give those things a thought.

It is my hope to stay involved in Cycling. That is where my heart is, and I have gained an enormous amount of practical experience during the years. Many things I did intuitively as a cyclist, I am now are more aware of. I am able to formulate a strategy behind my decisions or actions. Like creating your own brand name; when you are a cyclist, your brand is based on automatic choices. Now I have a strategy behind my decisions. I want to congratulate the teachers and colleagues of the Johan Cruyff Institute. Thanks to them I had an opportunity to grow as a person.