Martijn Keizer

In his first year, Martijn Keizer proved himself to be a valuable man in the programme of Vacansoleil-DCM, a sign that the guy from the Dutch province of Groningen was ready for the professional adventure. In true Vacansoleil DCM tradition, with his win in the Boucle de l'Aulne, Keizer was able to win in his first season at the highest level of professional cycling. Another highlight was the bronze medal he won during his first Dutch time trial Championship in the elite category. This all happened in his own municipality of Veendam, where he had already become national time trial champion in the Under-23 category one year earlier. Keizer now has his third major tour in his legs, with the Vuelta twice and the Giro once. In the Giro he stood out by winning the intermediate sprint classification and to ride almost half the stages in a breakaway group. His strong riding earned him an extension of his contract.