Background
Hijgenaar is a former speed skater who for two years was in the Netherlands national team. In 2001 she switched from skating to track cycling after finding she rode so much better than she skated that she could often ride by male riders in training. When her former skating team-mates made technical advances better than she could, she stayed permanently in cycling.
"When I look at the number of national championships, world championships and an Olympic Games that I've ridden, I am happy with my choice," she said.
Read more about this topic: Yvonne Hijgenaar
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