Finally no Van der Poel blocking the way: Lavreysen wins his (well-deserved) award

Harrie Lavreysen was crowned Sportsman of the Year on Wednesday evening at the annual NOC*NSF Sports Gala. The track cyclist had an extraordinary 2024, ultimately beating reigning champion Mathieu van der Poel, Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen, and athlete Abdi Nageeye in the vote.

This was Lavreysen’s fourth nomination but his first win. Doubts likely lingered throughout the evening for the powerhouse from the Netherlands, especially after he was defeated by Van der Poel a few weeks ago in the Cyclist of the Year election. “A completely ridiculous decision,” said fellow track cyclist Theo Bos at the time, arguing that track cycling isn’t taken seriously.

Lavreysen himself admitted it was a year he might never surpass. "Or even come close to," he told NU Sport at the end of the evening. "I’m sure there are plenty of great moments ahead, but this was truly my year." He insisted that missing out in previous nominations didn’t bother him. “If I had been disappointed those last three times, I wouldn’t have come today. I always enjoy being here. I mainly come to the Sports Gala to celebrate with other athletes. The awards themselves are a bit of a side issue.”

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Lavreysen missed out only on the World Championship Keirin

Still, he’s proud to be among the greats now. "I’ve obviously had to work hard for this over the past few years. It’s amazing to see those years rewarded in this way. I’m standing among legends now. This year already felt unreal to me, and it still does. I’m slowly trying to process everything that’s happened, but it just keeps going."

Need a quick recap? Lavreysen became European champion in the Sprint, Keirin, and Team Sprint, and world champion in the Sprint, Team Sprint, and Individual Time Trial. At the Paris Olympics, the 27-year-old Dutchman aimed for triple gold—and he achieved it. He triumphed in the Sprint, Team Sprint, and Keirin. The only event where he didn’t reach the maximum result was the Keirin at the World Championships, where he was eliminated in the quarterfinals. But that didn’t take away from what was truly a magical year.

The award for Sportswoman of the Year went to athlete Sifan Hassan.