Niki Terpstra

published 7 May 2021

Nationality: Dutch

Date of birth: May 18, 1984

Height: 186cm

Weight: 74kg

Team: Total Direct Énergie

Niki Terpstra's rise in professional cycling could be described as steady rather than meteoric. The Dutchman first attracted attention whilst racing with the Milram team, winning stages of the Criterium du Dauphine and Ster ZLM Toer in 2009. A switch to QuickStep in 2011 saw Terpstra find his home, with a string of top placings in classics and semi-classics that would show a sign of things to come.

Third in the 2013 edition of Paris-Roubaix was followed up by victory in the sport's biggest one-day race the following year, elevating his status both within the Etixx-QuickStep team and among race fans. The same year also see him win the Dwars door Vlaanderen for the second time in his career.

In 2015 he came second at Omloop Het Nieuswblad aften being outsprinted by Ian Stannard. He also finished second at Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders.

2016 saw him win another short stage race, the Eneco Tour. Unfortunately it was a fairly average classics campaign, rarely finishing inside the top 15.

Two years later and the dominance had returned.In a single season he won Le Samyn,E3 Harelbeke (after a 70km break), Ronde van Vlaanderen and finished 3rd at Paris-Roubaix.

Terpstra joined Total Direct Énergie for 2019. Perhaps due to missing the support and depth that Quick-Step had to offer, he failed to match his previous success in the classics campaign.

Major victories: Paris-Roubaix 2014 | Tour of Qatar 2015 | Tour of Qatar 2014 | Dwars door Vlaanderen 2014 | Dwars door Vlaanderen 2012

'Max Verstappen's attitude is an example for many cyclists', Say Niki Terpstra

The former Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders winner is a huge fan of Formula 1 and believes more cyclists should be like the Dutch driver

Peter Sagan wants Niki Terpstra to continue at TotalEnergies rather than retire

The three-time world champion says he wants to talk to the two-time Monument winner if he wishes to continue riding

By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published 27 August 21
Niki Terpstra left in intensive care after high-speed training crash

Niki Terpstra was left in intensive care after a high-speed training crash.

By Alex Ballinger Published 17 June 20

Reigning champion Niki Terpstra crashes out of Tour of Flanders 2019

Niki Terpstra has crashed out of the Tour of Flanders as he looked to defend his 2018 title.

By Alex Ballinger Published 7 April 19
Niki Terpstra uploads Tour of Flanders ride to Strava, revealing the stats behind his stunning victory

It may have looked like Niki Terpstra was flying for the final 25km of the Tour of Flanders, but the Strava stats show the full effect of the brutal race.

By Henry Robertshaw Published 3 April 18
Five things we learned from the 2018 Tour of Flanders

We take a look at the main talking points from the 2018 edition of the Tour of Flanders

By Stephen Puddicombe Published 1 April 18

Niki Terpstra leaves rivals reeling with amazing Tour of Flanders solo win

Dutchman Niki Terpstra adds a Tour of Flanders victory to his 2018 E3 Harelbeke win and 2014 Paris-Roubaix title after a trademark long-range solo attack

By Nigel Wynn Published 1 April 18
Niki Terpstra takes heroic solo victory at E3 Harelbeke as Quick-Step dominate

The Dutchman won after attacking with team-mate Yves Lampaert from 70km out

By Richard Windsor Published 23 March 18
Lefevere: 'I can't blame Niki Terpstra for leaving... I just didn't have the money'

Quick-Step team still searching for a new sponsor for 2019

By Gregor Brown Published 17 August 18

Bradley Wiggins third in Tour of Qatar time trial

World time trial champion Bradley Wiggins beaten by Niki Terpstra and Fabian Cancellara

By Nigel Wynn Published 10 February 15
Niki Terpstra sets 'realistic goals' of Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix after horror crash

The Dutchman joined Total Direct Energie at a training camp as he continues his recovery

By Jonny Long Published 26 July 20
Michael Hepburn wins stage three of the Tour of Qatar

Michael Hepburn wins the time trial as Niki Terpstra retains the lead

By Cycling Weekly Published 11 February 14

Sam Bennett wins Tour of Qatar final stage

Irish sprinter Sam Bennett takes final stage victory as Niki Terpstra seals overall win in 2015 Tour of Qatar. Photos by Graham Watson

By Stephen Puddicombe Published 13 February 15
Six Day London set up for thrilling finale (video)

Kenny De Ketele and Moreno De Pauw lead the standings at the Six Day London, but Niki Terpstra and Yoeri Havik are hot on their heels

By Stuart Clarke Published 23 October 15
Niki Terpstra out of hospital after high-speed motor-pacing crash

Niki Terpstra is out of hospital after a high-speed motor-pacing crash.

By Alex Ballinger Published 22 June 20

Petrol company Total to take over sponsorship Direct Energie, according to reports

Direct Energie will be replaced by gas and oil giant Total as the main sponsor before Paris-Roubaix, according to French media.

By Alex Ballinger Published 18 March 19
Niki Terpstra posts Vuelta a Espana bus transfer on Strava, just for fun

Etixx-QuickStep pro Niki Terpstra posts Monday evening's bus transfer data on Strava, and takes a load of KOMs along the way

By Nigel Wynn Published 1 September 15
Niki Terpstra: 'I know how annoying team dominance can be'

Quick-Step Floors controlled the race and ended up taking the victory as well as second place

By Gregor Brown Published 23 March 18

Niki Terpstra takes solo win at Le Samyn, Scott Thwaites second

The Dutchman broke away with 18km to go

By James Smurthwaite Published 2 March 16
Niki Terpstra keeps lead in Qatar despite Tinkoff-Saxo pressure

Defending champion was briefly on the wrong side of a peloton split in the closing kilometres.

By Nick Bull Published 12 February 15
Niki Terpstra hoping experience can help drive on Direct Energie's Classics campaign

After eight years with Quick-Step, the Dutchman is now sole leader for the French team's cobbled hopes

By Owen Rogers Published 1 March 19

Niki Terpstra surprised at beating Bradley Wiggins in Qatar time trial

Niki Terpstra says he thought that Bradley Wiggins would 'beat everyone by 40 seconds' in the Tour of Qatar stage three time trial

By Gregor Brown Published 10 February 15
Niki Terpstra and Philippe Gilbert complete one-two for Quick-Step Floors in Le Samyn

Mid-week Belgian race Le Samyn sees Quick-Step Floors create a decisive split in the peloton, and ultimately occupy the top two steps on the podium

By Nigel Wynn Published 27 February 18
Niki Terpstra takes solo win at Dwars door Vlaanderen

Long solo attack nets Niki Terpstra his second win in Dwars door Vlaanderen

By Nigel Wynn Published 26 March 14

Niki Terpstra will miss Paris Roubaix after suffering 'severe concussion' in Tour of Flanders crash

The Direct Energie rider was knocked unconscious after crashing early on in the race

By Jonny Long Published 8 April 19
Roche: Qatar time trial must be wake-up call for Bradley Wiggins

Stephen Roche says Bradley Wiggins should not be concerned by losing time in the Tour of Qatar standings, but finishing third in the time trial is a cause for concern

By Stuart Clarke Published 13 February 15
Niki Terpstra's Strava upload shows the incredible story of his solo victory in E3 Harelbeke

If Niki Terpstra's victory in E3 Harelbeke didn't look impressive enough on TV, then the Dutch rider's upload to Strava really shows his incredible effort.

By Henry Robertshaw Published 26 March 18