Rest day Podcast - We catch up with Koen de Kort

August 26, 2024·37 min·3 clips

Koen de Kort reveals how a casual lunch drive in Andorra resulted in a horrific accident and amputation of three fingers.

This episode of the SBS Cycling Podcast features a rest-day interview with retired professional cyclist Koen de Kort. Hosts Christophe and Mike catch up with de Kort about his unexpected career transition following a severe injury. De Kort raced professionally for 18 seasons, completing 17 Grand Tours and working for stars like Marcel Kittel and Alberto Contador. De Kort explains he had already decided to retire at the end of the season before his accident. His career ended abruptly when an off-road buggy he was riding in Andorra rolled over, leading to the amputation of three fingers on his right hand. He spent two and a half weeks in a Barcelona hospital, using podcasts and radio to distract himself during the initial recovery. De Kort reflects that he was fortunate to retain his thumb and index finger, which allows him to adapt and perform most tasks. He shares fond memories of his time with Team Argos-Shimano, specifically building what he calls the world's best sprint train. A humorous story involves a bet with Marcel Kittel where de Kort promised to get an undercut haircut if Kittel won three stages, a bet he lost when Kittel won four. His role evolved from a sprinter's lead-out man to a protected "bodyguard" for general classification riders like Alberto Contador and Richie Porte. De Kort describes Contador's emotional retirement send-off at the Vuelta a España as a "goosebump moment," with thousands of fans surrounding the team bus. He notes the distinct pressures of working for different leaders, stating Richie Porte would sometimes express frustration during races, which de Kort understood and accepted as part of the job. He believes the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a generational shift in the peloton, making it harder for older riders to compete with talents like Mathieu van der Poel. He now works as the Team Support Manager for Trek-Segafredo, managing equipment logistics and development for both the men's and women's teams. De Kort mentions he is nearly finished a master's degree in sports management and had an early interest in technical innovation, even crafting his own skinsuit with pockets years ago. The conversation concludes with a preview of the upcoming Vuelta stage, where de Kort predicts a hard fight for the breakaway in the first 80 kilometers. The tone is conversational, nostalgic, and uplifting, blending career retrospective with personal resilience. This episode will appeal to fans of professional cycling, especially those interested in team dynamics, career transitions, and behind-the-scenes stories from the peloton. Listeners seeking pure race analysis or current event commentary might find the personal narrative focus less engaging.

As heard by us

A loose special episode that pairs archive banter with a frank look at cycling's changing guard.

A loose, archive-friendly special built around a guest from Team Argo Shimano, it spends its first stretch in playful banter before settling into Dutch cycling, Mathieu Van Der Poel, Wout Van Aert, Pitcock, and the younger riders coming up behind them.

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Why you'd press play

A special SBS cycling chat that takes you inside Dutch cycling's changing guard.

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