Jacobus Johannes VAN EGMOND

Inspired by the 1928 Olympics to take up sports, Jacques van Egmond first started out as a track runner. It soon became clear he was more talented as a cyclist, and he won his first national sprint title (amateur) in 1931. The following year, he retained that title and won the prestigious København (Copenhagen) Grand Prix, making him one of the favorites for the Olympics. In the Olympic final, he bested Louis Chaillon after losing the first heat. He also entered the time trial (silver) and the tandem, where he had to forfeit the bronze medal match due to fatigue. Van Egmond performed poorly in the World Championships later that year – being eliminated in the heats – but made up for that by winning the 1933 title. He started competing professionally in 1934, winning Dutch pro sprint titles from 1934-36. Later in his career, he also competed in the pursuit event, placing third in the 1940 Dutch championships. In 1938, he started a grocery store, but later switched to running a laundromat. In 1954 he opened Café van Egmond in his hometown of Haarlem. Since Jacques’ death in 1969, the café has been run by his son Paul, a former professional football player for Telstar and the Dutch U23 squad.