Harrie Smolders is the Rider of the Year 2017 in the Netherlands. It is the first time in his career that Smolders is awarded this title.
2017 was Smolders' year: He won the individual silver medal with Don VHP Z at the European Championships in Gothenburg, and shortly after this combination helped the Dutch team win the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona. Finally, Smolders delivered the unique achievement of winning both the Global Champions Tour and the Global Champions League overall. On 31 December 2017, Smolders was 5th on the world ranking while he now has climbed up to become the second best rider behind Kent Farrington.
Smolders will receive the award at the Dutch Masters in Den Bosch.
Source: thedutchmasters.com // Picture © Jenny Abrahamsson