Ellen van Dijk
A Dutch powerhouse on two wheels who dominates against the clock and has forged a legacy as one of cycling's most complete and formidable engines.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Dutch professional cyclist·Birthday: February 11·Millennials
Biography
Ellen van Dijk doesn't just race against her competitors; she wages a war against time itself. From her early days as a track cyclist, where she claimed a world title in the scratch race, it was clear she possessed a rare engine. On the road, she evolved into the archetypal modern cyclist: a time trial specialist of fearsome power who is also unafraid to dictate races from the front, whether in a solo breakaway or piloting her team in the discipline she helped define. Her five world championship titles across team and individual time trials are a testament to her sustained excellence. Van Dijk's strength is her versatility; she can win a cobbled classic like the Ronde van Drenthe, wear the leader's jersey in a grand tour, and then crush a field in a race of truth. Her career, built on relentless work and a stoic demeanor, has made her a cornerstone of the dominant Lidl-Trek squad and a respected elder stateswoman in the peloton, feared for her ability to decide a race with pure, unadulterated force.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ellen was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ellen Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Ellen's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the individual time trial world championship in 2013.
- Captured five UCI World Championship gold medals across team and individual time trial events.
- Won the inaugural European Games time trial title in Baku in 2015.
- Secured overall victory at the 2022 Tour of Scandinavia and the 2021 Ladies Tour of Norway.
- Set the Hour Record in 2022, riding 49.254 kilometers.
Did You Know?
She originally studied civil engineering at university.
She is an avid cross-country skier and uses it for winter training.
She won her first world title on the track in the scratch race in 2008.
Her nickname within cycling is 'The Beast' due to her powerful riding style.
“I like to suffer. I like to go deep. That's my specialty.”
