How much excitement can you get from cycling after you’ve won a Paris-Roubaix and a Tour of Flanders? Some would say none. Others, like Niki Terpstra, would definitely disagree. Thanks to Briko, we had the chance to meet a real-life legend on two wheels who, after giving the world several unforgettable experiences in the most famous competitions of the globe, has decided to enter a new phase in his relationship with cycling.

It is a mature stage that focuses less on extreme performance and moves toward inner and outer exploration. It is the time of gravel and Granfondo Briko Torino, where we watched Terpstra cover that majestic distance between the Motovelodromo and Superga. It is, above all, a time for sharing. Terpstra does this through physical vigor and voice, as his ‘Speed on Wheels’ podcast demonstrates.

“I was born and raised in the northern region of Holland. I played football for awhile, but it wasn’t for me…. Then, when I was eight years old, I started cycling. I quickly realized how much I liked to bike hard, and I started watching my first cycling events on TV. Nobody else in my family had any interest in that kind of thing, and they were all surprised when I told them I wanted to join a club. I can still remember that moment after signing up when they gave me a small racing bike…. From that moment on, I loved cycling.”

Terpstra’s eyes shine as he retraces his first steps in the world of cycling, suggesting a love that has changed over time but never subsided. Not in the face of lavish contracts and huge stages. Not in the face of pressure.

“In the beginning, biking was a hobby, and it let me spend time with my friends. When I was in school, all I thought about was the final bell and getting on my bike…. That sensation of flying with my legs has always been an incredible feeling for me. Over time, cycling became a profession and the focus definitely shifted to performance. Now, after finishing my road career and starting a new gravel phase, I’m looking for the right mix of competition and joy. In some ways, I feel like a child again when I get in the van with my friends and we prep the bikes together.”

Four World road team time trial golds, three National road titles, a E3 Harelbeke and an Eneco Tour, in addition to those Paris-Roubaix and Flanders we mentioned before. Terpstra isn’t ashamed to admit that he dreamed of achieving these legendary successes, but reliving them at the dawn of the second chapter of his cycling life allows for an even deeper understanding of their mark on him.

“During those first steps as a pro, I was incredibly proud to be part of the peloton in these legendary races. In particular, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders have always been my favorite races. Winning them was incredible. When I think back, I can still feel that pride reverberating inside me…. I remember every single kilometer of those races, along with the preparation leading up, and then that explosion of emotions on the finish lines. My secret, or rather, my trick for winning is to build a set of goals and push my personal limits to arrive at the end of the race …. This attitude has helped me win some special races in my career.”

It’s hard to change professional ‘habits’, Terpstra admits, but he says his relationship to the human and social landscapes in each race have shifted. What was once punctuated by seconds and frequencies is today marked by cultural curiosity and a desire for knowledge.

“As a pro, I traveled all over, but rarely did I get to explore. Everything came down to buses, hotels, getting from point A to point B…. I was focused on the race. After I finished my career, I’ve started to enjoy those places that cycling takes me. Now, for example, I’m in Piedmont for the Granfondo Briko Torino, and I’m admiring the local architecture, as well as its blend of history and cultures, which is also a part of sports… like the plane crash of Grande Torino on Superga. Just by cycling there you can feel the respect Italians have for the athletes of the past. An event like the Granfondo also lets me connect with listeners of my podcast, ‘Speed on Wheels.’ A lot of my audience participates in these events, which I think are essential because they allow enthusiasts to bike alongside great riders. Here, I think all participants in Granfondo events, including professionals, are united by the same passion. It’s great to see, get to know and talk to this huge community.”

Whether it’s on the road or behind a microphone, communication is what lies ahead for Terpstra. He calls himself a sportsman by vocation, quoting a Briko claim that seems tailor-made for him. It is the vision of a cyclist who has handwritten key passages in the history of his sport and who, today, is entering a new dimension: broadcasting.

“Every day I wake up and want to do sports. That’s why I’m a sportsman by vocation. Sports and cycling are in my blood. It’s a real treat to talk about it through Briko. I have a long-standing relationship with this brand. When I was 9 years old, my heroes were champions like Mario Cipollini and the entire Mapei team, and they all wore Briko glasses. My aunt and uncle promised me a pair if I won a regional race, and that’s what I did…. I was overjoyed. That memory came back to me recently shortly after I embarked on my gravel journey. I saw that Briko was introducing the iconic ‘Detector’ model and we got in touch to talk about a partnership. In general, I want to focus on a series of gravel events between Europe and the U.S., including the World Championship in Belgium. In the long term, however, I don’t know what to expect…. But, for sure, it’s going to involve cycling.”