Dutch veteran to retire after 14 year professional career
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Aart Vierhouten (l) and Thijs Al ride together during the latter stages.(Image credit: Bert Geerts)
Aart Vierhouten in Six Day action at the 2008 Zesdaagse van het Noorden(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Aart Vierhouten will close a 14 year professional career on Sunday at Paris-Tours. Vacansoleil announced that the French Classic will be the Dutchman's final road race, as they named in their eight-man team for the French Classic on Friday.
"I am glad that a beautiful race such as Paris-Tours is my last official race and I will give everything in this final event," said Vierhouten. "Throughout the past fourteen years I have loved cycling, something that will continue after my career."
He began his career with Rabobank in 1996 and rode with Lotto squad from 2002-2005. After two years with Skil-Shimano he transferred to P3 Transfer-Batavus, the predecessor to current team Vacansoleil.
Vierhouten has recorded two top-ten finishes in Paris-Tours. He finished eighth in 1998 and 10th in 1999 while riding for Rabobank.
Vierhouten will race this Sunday alongside: Borut Bozic, Björn Leukemans, Sergey Lagutin, as well as fellow Dutchmen Jens Mouris, Lieuwe Westra, Johnny Hoogerland and Gerben Löwik.
No stranger to the track, Veirhouten has consistently spent his winters competing in Six Day events, and will bid a final farewell to his Dutch fans later this month at the Six Days of Amsterdam. Jens Mouris will partner with him in the event, which will honour the 39-year-old's career on October 21.
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