Jan Janssen Photo Gallery
Back to photo gallery rider list
Jan Janssen (born May 19, 1940) was one of cycling's most versatile and capable racers. He had a superb sprint, wonderful endurance for the classics and stage races and a ability to climb that, though not extraordinary, surprised many.
The result: Janssen won Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España (the first Dutch rider to win those Grand Tours). Janssen was Champion of the World in 1964.
His Tour de France wins show his talent and versatility. He won the points classification (and seven stages) in 1964, 1965 and 1967. He won the General Classification in 1968.
Janssen retired from racing in 1972 and started a bicycle company.
We interviewed Janssen in 2011. Janssen is a gifted storyteller. When he talked about his career and winning the biggest races in the world, he made us feel the same thrills he had felt. Plus, he is a real gentleman.
Major victories:
1962:
- Championship of Zurich
1963:
- 2nd Midi Libre with 2 stage wins
- 2nd Flèche Wallonne
- 3rd Paris–Roubaix
- 2 stage wins in the Tour de France
1964:
- Paris–Nice: GC and points
- Tour de France green jersey with 2 stage wins
- Champion of the World
1965:
- Tour of the Netherlands with 1 stage win
- Dauphiné Libéré points classification
- Tour de France green jersey with 1 stage win
1966:
- Tour de France 2nd place
1967:
- Paris–Roubaix
- Vuelta a España GC and points with 1 stage win
- Paris–Luxembourg with 1 stage win
- 2nd in the World Championships
- Tour de France green jersey with 1 stage win
1968:
- Tour de France with 2 stage wins
- Vuelta a España points classification with 2 stage wins
1969:
- Vuelta a Mallorca with 1 stage win
- Tour of Switzerland points classification
- 2nd Tour de France points classification
Professional Teams:
- 1962: Locomotief-Vredestein
- 1962-1968: Pelforth-Sauvage-Lejeune
- 1969-1971: Bic
- 1972: Beaulieu-Flandria
Nicknames: The Professor
Photos:
Janssen's business card: yellow, green and rainbow jerseys.
Boyhood photo of Jan Janssen (left) with his twin brother Ad. Photo Jan Janssen collection
Janssen wins stage thirteen of the 1961 Tour de l'Avenir
All the Dutch riders of the 1963 Tour. From left: Ab Geldermans, Jan Janssen with young fan, Huub Zilverberg, Jo De Roo. Photo: Foto Anefo
1964: Jan Janssen wins the rainbow jersey in France in front of Vittorio Adorni and Raymond Poulidor. Photo: Inter Presse
!966 Tour de France: Jacques Anquetil and Jan Janssen. Lucien Aimar won the Tour that year. Janssen was second at 1min 7sec. Anquetil abandoned after the 18th stage.
Race in the 1960s. Janssen attacks. On the far right is Herman van Springel
Another 1960s race with Jan Janssen leading a trio up a hill.
1966 Tour de France. Janssen enjoys owning the yellow jersey after stage 16, which finished in Briançon. He lost it to Lucien Aimar the next day.
Janssen and glasses. Anyone who rides with glasses knows what a challenge racing in the rain wearing glasses really is.
Jan Janssen leads Willy Bocklandt on the cobbles at the 1967 Paris–Roubaix. Photo: Jan Janssen collection
.jpg)
Janssen in 1967
Janssen (in glasses, of course) racng in 1967
Jan janssen on the podium of the 1967 World Road Championships, where he was second to Eddy Merckx. Photo: Dutch National Archives
1967 World Championships podium: From left: Jan Janssen (2nd), Eddy Merckx & Ramon Saez (3rd). Robert Bonny photo
I believe this is Janssen and Raymond Poulidor in the 1968 Tour de France.
Janssen rode for Bic 1969 - 1971
Janssen at his retirement ceremony in September of 1972
Jan Janssen (left) with writer Les Woodland after our 2011 interview. Note that Janssen, the gracious host, has given us champagne. His cycling medals are in the case on the wall.
At the opening ceremonies of the 2009 Vuelta a España. Janssen is on the left. On the other side of the announcer is Joop Zoetemelk. Sirotti photo
Janssen (far right) with Joop Zoetemelk (left) and Hennie Kuiper (center) in 2017. Sirotti photo