Van de Ven wins the most important Dutch motorsport prize
Women's Motocross World Champion Nancy van de Ven has received the Hans de Beaufort Cup. Van de Ven received the award from NOC*NSF director Marc van den Tweel during the KNMV Motorsport Gala in a packed Studio 21, in Hilversum.
The Hans de Beaufort Cup has been awarded by the board of the Royal Dutch Motorcyclists Association (KNMV) since 1947 in years when a Dutch motorsport athlete has delivered a world-class performance and is also an ambassador of the sport off the track. After five second places in the final standings of the World Cup, persistent Van de Ven finally achieved success in 2022: she took the world title. And now also the Hans de Beaufort cup, as the first solo lady.
Nancy van de Ven: “I really didn't see this coming. The evening went on as usual. But, when the band just started playing Natural Woman, I thought 'no way'. And now!”
Marc van den Tweel: “It is a great honor to present the Hans de Beaufort Cup. First of all, of course, because Nancy van de Ven is a fantastic sportswoman who has finally and deservedly become world champion. She is an inspiring example for many young female motor athletes. Her achievements are significant in expanding the sport among girls and women.”
Ben Major Trophy
Rick Elzinga became European Motocross Champion in 250cc last season and won the Dutch Masters of Motocross 250cc. As the icing on the cake, he received the Ben Majoor Trophy for talent of the year during the gala. Rick will start in the MX2 World Championship next season and was presented with the trophy by David Luongo, director of InFront Moto Racing and therefore organizer of the Motocross World Championship.
David Luongo: “Champions are the core of our sport. They give young athletes a dream and a goal. That is why such successes should be celebrated on evenings like these. Successes like Rick's, who very much deserves this award.
Rick Elzinga: “It was great to become European champion, this is what I have always worked for. The team, my family, the bike, the feeling... Everything has to be right to achieve such a season. The next step is of course becoming world champion. Hopefully I can achieve that in the future.”
Motorsport Heart and Sustainability Trophy
Eric Bulsink received the Motorsport Heart during the gala; an honorary prize for special efforts within motorsport. Although he has taken a step back, Bulsink has been a well-known face in the Dutch motorcycle world for decades as a journalist and editor-in-chief of various magazines.
The first recipient of the new Sustainability Trophy was Jan Olthof. On behalf of Motorclub Nijverdal-Hellendoorn (MCNH), he is involved in a successful collaboration with Staatsbosbeheer regarding the prevention of wildcrossing. Since last autumn, detection has been done with electric motors.
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