BN’er Prologue on October 13th with Edwin en Annemarie van der Sar, Viggo Waas en Richard Krajicek!
Celebrity Prologue in The Hague Focuses on Bicycle Helmets and Preventing Brain Injuries
On Tuesday, October 13, Edwin and Annemarie van der Sar, Viggo Waas, Richard Krajicek, and Lucinda Brand will swap their familiar stage for the Eneco Tour cycling course. Cheered on by their team captains Ellen van Dijk and Michael Boogerd, they will ride the Celebrity Prologue through The Hague’s Zuiderpark. Their athletic challenge carries a message: protect your head—wear a bike helmet.
Archive photo: Prologue of the NIBC Tour of Holland 2025 (photo by Cor Vos Agnecy)
The Celebrity Prologue is part of the opening day of the Eneco Tour. The Hersenstichting has linked its “Hard Koppie” bicycle helmet campaign to this event. This campaign aims to make wearing a bicycle helmet more of a matter of course, especially among young people. A helmet helps reduce the risk of serious head and brain injuries in the event of a fall.
Participants with acquired brain injury (ABI) are taking part to show that enjoying physical activity is important for everyone. Ronald Schouten, Fundraising Manager at the Hersenstichting: “Through their participation, they give a face to the impact of brain injury and draw attention to the importance of a healthy and well-protected brain. After all, every day we rely on our brains to move, work, learn, and enjoy life.”
Race Director Roxane Knetemann: “I’m looking forward to the start of the revamped Eneco Tour. We’re kicking things off with a special segment: well-known Dutch personalities riding a prologue on the same course as the pros. This brings together sports, fun, and a focus on cycling safety. It’s a great way to inject new energy into the race together with Eneco.”
The Celebrity Prologue will take place on Tuesday, October 13, at Sportcampus Zuiderpark in The Hague. According to the tentative schedule, the first participant will start at 4:30 p.m.; the awards ceremony will follow around 4:50 p.m. The professional evening prologue begins at 6:00 p.m.
A sporting challenge with a personal story
For several participants, the message holds personal significance. They have experienced firsthand just how life-altering a brain disorder can be, or have seen its effects up close. By participating, they are raising awareness about the importance of protecting the brain. Others are supporting the campaign and want to experience what it’s like to race against the clock on an official cycling course.
The participants will ride the 3.1-kilometer course that will serve as the backdrop for the pros later that evening. Divided into two groups, they’ll set off from the starting podium every 45 seconds. In addition to the fastest individual, the fastest team will also be honored, based on the average team time. Mark Heij is also taking part.
