Kruijswijk is honoured with his nomination. “It shows that my achievement is special. It’s nice to be on this list with all those other names. It’s a matter of appreciation and recognition. The fact that the team has also been nominated says enough. We achieved something special. We worked really hard to reach this level. Of course my achievement is special, but I couldn’t have done it without the team. That why it’s also really nice the team is on the shortlist.”

Sportive director Merijn Zeeman calls the nomination for best sports team of the year an honour. “It doesn’t happen often that a cycling team is nominated, which makes it even more satisfactory. We put our heart and soul in it. Hopefully, we’ll get rewarded for this by winning this prize. It is only right that Steven received the honour to be on the shortlist of best sports man of the year. As one of the few Dutchmen, he managed to finish on the podium of the Tour de France. A major achievement.”

Jac Orie, coach of the speed skating team of Team Jumbo-Visma, has been nominated for best sports coach of 2019. Speed skaters Thomas Krol and Patrick Roest are, besides Kruijswijk, also nominated for best sportsman. The winners will be announced on Wednesday 18 December.