Hendrik Gerardus Joseph "Joop" Zoetemelk is a Dutch former professional racing cyclist. He started and finished the Tour de France 16 times, which were both records when he retired. He also holds the distance record in Tour de France history with 62,885 km ridden. He won the 1979 Vuelta a España and the 1980 Tour de France.
He finished the Tour in 8th, 5th, 4th (three times) and 2nd (six times) for a total of eleven top 5 finishes which is also a record. He was the first rider to wear the Tour de France's Polka Dot Jersey as the King of the Mountains and even though he never won this classification in the Tour de France, he did win it in the 1971 Vuelta a España and was considered one of the best climbers of his generation.
If not for a +10:00 doping infraction in 1977, he would have come in the top 5 in each of the first 12 Tours he entered.
He won the World Professional Road Championship in 1985 at the age of 38, with a late attack surprising the favorites of LeMond, Roche, Argentin and Millar. He completed a total of 16 World Championships which is notable considering more than half the field abandons nearly every World Championship and in addition to his win he has come in the top 10 seven other times. As of 2020, he is the oldest men's individual road race world champion.His record number of starts in the Tour de France was surpassed when George Hincapie started for the 17th time, but Hincapie was disqualified from three tours in October 2012, for doping offenses, giving the number of starts record back to Zoetemelk. Nobody other than Zoetemelk achieved sixteen Tour de France finishes until Sylvain Chavanel did so in the 2018 Tour de France. Currently, three riders have had more than 16 starts in the Tour de France, but no one has yet exceeded the record of finishing the event 16 times. He retired from the sport to run a hotel at Meaux, France.
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Some of their strengths
Joop Zoetemelk has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Generous, Intelligent, Independent, Imaginative, Honest, and Brave.
Adventurous and Independent
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Joop Zoetemelk is someone who is an adventurous, independent, and energetic person, who is insightful, imaginative, generous, and honest. A person who is known for being a good partner.
Charming and Sophisticated
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Joop Zoetemelk well know them as someone who can be classy, glamorous, and worldly, like jewelry.
Inventive and Clever
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Joop Zoetemelk as someone who is flexible, intelligent, and quick-witted.
A person who likes to be creative, and to be recognized for their artistic talents. Who possesses intelligence, mental discipline, and ambition, and who does well in relationships and partnerships.
Perceptive and Visionary
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Joop Zoetemelk is someone who has a natural awareness about what is going on in the surrounding environment and the world at large, and a refined vision of how to navigate it.
They are also someone who is reflective, mysterious, and purposeful, who enjoys quiet and solo work, and who thrives in positions where there is no need to report to someone else.
Optimistic and Quick-witted
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Joop Zoetemelk tends to be someone who is optimistic and spontaneous, and who has a clear and analytical mind. Who can be witty, with a happy-go-lucky- nature that makes others cheerful, and who possesses an adventurous zest for life.
Some of Joop Zoetemelk's challenges
While Joop Zoetemelk has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Joop Zoetemelk can be Short-tempered, Impulsive, Careless, Hypocritical, Self-centered, Unfocused, and Indecisive.
Impulsive and Careless
One of Joop Zoetemelk's key challenges is that they are someone who can be impulsive and careless.
Joop Zoetemelk must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive.
Unfocused and Indecisive
Joop Zoetemelk is someone who can be scattered, restless, and insensitive, be distracted by fluctuating professional interests, be a workaholic, and who can be arrogant and have difficulty accepting advice.
Irritable and Callous
Finally, Joop Zoetemelk also can be short-tempered, childish, insensitive, and careless at times.
