The twin brother of Tim van Dijke, who also was on the list of nominated talents, became Dutch time trial champion in the U23 category last year. Moreover, he won stages in Kreiz Breizh Elites and Flanders Tomorrow Tour. In the latter stage race, he also won the general classification.

Van Dijke was very proud to receive the award. “This news came quite unexpected to me. It gives you goosebumps when you see the big names who have won this trophy in the past. I ended up on a nice list of names, and I am happy that I emerged as the winner. We can also be proud of this as a team. The Team Jumbo-Visma Academy and the development team were created for young cycling talents. This is a great incentive for that project.”

Head of Development Robbert de Groot was also proud of Van Dijke and his team. “For Mick, this is a huge encouragement to continue on the road he has embarked on towards a successful professional career. Two years ago, he stepped off the mountain bike and got acquainted with road cycling. In a short time, he achieved success at a high level. That is very special. This award is very prestigious and highly regarded. It is recognition for Mick and our team and training program. This training program should lead to long-term success and the promotion of talent. This award is a confirmation that we are on the right track and is a great boost for everyone involved in the development of our young riders.”