Rini Wagtmans

Marinus "Rini" Wagtmans (born 26 December 1946 in Sint Willebrord) is a former Dutch professional road bicycle racer. He was the nephew of Wout Wagtmans, a former professional who had won the Tour de Romandie stage race in 1952. His father was a masseur while Tour de France stage winner Wim van Est was his neighbour. In 1968 Rini turned professional. The following year he finished third overall in the 1969 Vuelta a España. He rode four editions of the Tour de France and won three stages, one in 1970, one in 1971 and one in 1972. In the 1970 Tour de France he finished fifth overall. In 1971 Tour de France while riding for Molteni, he wore the yellow jersey as leader of the general classification for one day but teammate and team leader Eddy Merckx took the jersey the following day. He also won two stages in the 1970 Vuelta a España. Wagtmans was known as one of the best descenders in the peloton. His hair earned him the nickname "witte bles", which translates as "white blaze". Wagtmans ended his career early due to heart problems. Afterwards he was a cycling coach, a member for the Royal Dutch Cycling Union, and then a successful businessman. In 2005, Wagtmans was invested as a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau. In 2006, Wagtmans’ biography was published.

Major results

 * 1966
 * Ronde van Midden-Zeeland


 * 1967
 * Tour of Austria


 * 1968
 * Roosendaal (NED)
 * Acht van Chaam


 * 1969
 * Sint-Willebrord
 * Ulvenhout
 * Kortenhoef
 * Tour de France:
 * 6th place overall classification


 * 1970
 * Vuelta a España:
 * Winner stages 11 and 13
 * Koksijde
 * Tour de France:
 * Winner stage 15
 * 5th place overall classification
 * Plumeliau


 * 1971
 * Sint-Willebrord
 * Tour de France:
 * Winner stage 3
 * Wearing yellow jersey for one day
 * Acht van Chaam


 * 1972
 * Tour de France:
 * Winner stage 18