A fresh face to the Development program in 2025, Ko hails from the idyllic and small town of Wervershoof in the region of West Friesland. Despite its locality to the Ijsselmeer, Ko’s first sporting love was tennis. However, an injury at the age of 12 meant that he had to find something else to do where he wasn’t running so much, he decided to give cycling a go.
“My dad watched the races on TV, so I began watching it with him and then gave it a try. I cycled to school and then got more and more into it, and I never really returned to tennis fully after that.”
Clearly an endurance athlete at heart, Ko says that he shone more in tennis when the games went on longer and he just “had more energy” than his opponents towards the end of the match. After being confined to the 260 square metres of tennis courts for his early youth, it is now the opposite that Ko enjoys about cycling.
“I like being out in nature and have the freedom to go where I want in training. Every day is and can be something different so you can keep it fresh. I’m also someone who enjoys pushing themselves to their limit, so I like the competitive side of racing too, and trying to get the best out of myself.”
Talking of that competitive side, Ko had an impressive two years in juniors where he took some strong results in a variety of races and was crowned Dutch road race champion in 2024. He’s expecting the move to the U23 ranks to be a “big step” but on the other hand the support that the team offers “should make it easier.”
Packing up his bags and leaving home, Ko will spend a large portion of the season staying with some of the other Development program and Women’s program riders at the Keep Challenging Center in Sittard.
“It will be nice to train as a group but also spend some time together off the bike and get to know each other more. I’m also personally looking forward to riding there as there are a lot more hills in Limburg to train on than where I’m from.”
Describing himself as someone who always trys to maintain a positive outlook, Ko thinks this is a value he can bring to the Development program and help keep the spirits up; even on the tougher days as he believes there is “always something to learn or improve on.”
Alongside that Ko sees himself as a proper team player and he really thrives on the team aspect of the sport, coming up with plans together as a group and executing them in race.
When he’s not training hard or analysing his next race, Ko likes to watch what he calls “easy TV” shows where you don’t have to think too much and can just zone out and relax. Otherwise, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family, and has recently purchased a coffee machine. We think we might have a little café on the go soon at the Keep Challenging Center with Ko and Christiaan practicing their latte art together!