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UM student European champion cycling
22 July 2010
Medicine student Noortje Tabak won the European Championship cycling for women younger than 23 years last weekend in Ankara Turkey. This assures her a starting position for the World Cup in Australia in late September. "That has always been a big ambition of mine."
A few days after the game Noortje was already busy with her internships at the Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven. Almost in her fourth year, she has progressed through her studies at the same pace as her classmates despite training for twelve to fifteen hours average per week. "Next year I have arranged to do my internships at a leisurely pace to give a boost to my racing career," said the 22-year-old.
The victory came as something of a surprise. "The coach asked before the race who thought she could win and I put my hand up. I felt it was possible, even though I was not the most obvious winner. It was a nail-biting finale. The pack was on our heels, but I went for the win. I feel the euphoria again just talking about it."
While many might become full-time cyclists after such a success, Noortje definitely wants to finish her studies. "I find it just as important to get my basic medical degree, so I also have job prospects after my cycling career. But I may spend a few years focusing on cycling after graduation, depending on how well it goes."
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