Theo de Rooij

For almost 30 years Theo de Rooij has been active in the scene of international cycling: 11 years as a professional rider, then 12 years as a director sportif and almost 4 years as general director of one of the best teams in the international peloton, Rabobank. This represents also the largest sport sponsoring project in The Netherlands ever. 

During his career he has contributed several big cycling successes from riders like Belgians Eric Vanderaerden, Eddy Planckaert, Spanish Oscar Freire, Danish Rolf Sörensen, and also Italian Maurizio Fondriest, German Olaf Ludwig and -off course- Erik en Thomas Dekker, Michael Boogerd, Robert Gesink, Lars Boom and Sven Nys.

By the end of 1995 -among others- Jan Raas asked hem to help create the Rabobank Cycling Plan. Developing business plans, recruiting riders and staff, composing the rooster of races and staff management represented the most important issues of his work, beside his work as director sportif. Furthermore he was maintaining all international contacts with –amongst others- cycling bodies and riders managers. Later, as general director, his management package of tasks was extended with issues like policy, development of young riders (continental team), budget planning and control, contacts with sponsors, negotiating contracts with riders and staff, etc. The Rabobank Cycling Teams comprise a total of more than 100 people. In my in March 2009 Theo de Rooij published his autobiography ‘Bezield’

The World and sport is his playing grounds. Management, coaching, organising and communication are the most important issues of his work. Knowledge of the foremost European languages (French, English, German, Italian and Spanish) is a key factor. 

During his sports career he has been able to work on an extensive international network, still extremely useful in the execution of his daily work and the realization of his projects; such as:

• Representing and advising several professional cyclists
• TDRbike: the realization of a totally new and own concept of a pedal assisted bicycle with Dutch and Taiwanese partners.
• Advice and consultancy regarding sports matters
• Organising the election and award ceremony of the best riders of the year, as president of the ‘Club48’
• The yearly Theo de Rooij Classic bike tour.
• Race director and member of the organizing committee of the ‘Ronde van Overijssel’, the most important bike race in our province