Age, Biography and Wiki

Wim van Est (Willem van Est) was born on 25 March, 1923 in Fijnaart, Netherlands, is a Dutch racing cyclist (1923-2003). Discover Wim van Est's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 80 years old?

Popular As Willem van Est
Occupation N/A
Age 80 years old
Zodiac Sign Aries
Born 25 March, 1923
Birthday 25 March
Birthplace Fijnaart, Netherlands
Date of death 1 May, 2003
Died Place Sint Willebrord, Netherlands
Nationality France

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 25 March. He is a member of famous cyclist with the age 80 years old group.

Wim van Est Height, Weight & Measurements

At 80 years old, Wim van Est height not available right now. We will update Wim van Est's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
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Wim van Est Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Wim van Est worth at the age of 80 years old? Wim van Est’s income source is mostly from being a successful cyclist. He is from France. We have estimated Wim van Est's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income cyclist

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Timeline

1923

Willem "Wim" van Est (25 March 1923 – 1 May 2003) was a Dutch racing cyclist.

1946

He started his cycling career (as an amateur) in 1946, after a professional runner had seen him race in a local competition as part of a wager.

1950

His first major victory came in 1950, when he won the 600 km Bordeaux–Paris race.

1951

He is best known for being the first Dutch cyclist to wear the yellow jersey as leader of the general classification in the Tour de France of 1951, and for falling into a ravine while wearing it.

In 1951, Van Est was part of the Dutch team for the Tour de France.

This would be the first time in his entire life he had ever seen mountains of this caliber, let alone tried riding up or descending one.

Nevertheless, he remained most famous for the two days in the 1951 Tour de France.

1955

Later in his career, Van Est twice won the Ronde van Nederland, wore the yellow jersey again in 1955 and 1958, placed 8th in 1957 and won two more stages.

Also, he won Bordeaux–Paris two more times, two national road titles, four national titles in the individual pursuit on the track, as well as three medals in the pursuit at the World Championships.

1961

His brother Piet was also a pro cyclist who rode in several Tours and won a stage in the 1961 Giro.

2001

To remember this event, a monument was placed on the mountain 50 years after the event, on 17 July 2001.

Wim van Est died in his hometown Sint Willebrord.

His brothers Kees, Toon, Leen and Nico were also professional cyclists.

2012

In the 12th stage, from Agen to Dax, he escaped with a small group.

He won the stage and gained 19 minutes on the leader, enough to move up to first place in the general classification.

As the first Dutchman to wear the accompanying yellow jersey he was praised by the public and media at home.

The next day, in defence of his position, Van Est was chasing the leaders on the descent of the Col d'Aubisque.

He was following Fiorenzo Magni on the descent, a very strong rider who had already won two Giro's as well as two Tour Stages, who had superior descending skill.

Due to a flat tyre (according to Van Est himself), in conjunction with snow melt and many loose stones on the road he lost control of his bike and went over the cliff.

He instinctively kicked his bike away as he fell and of the riders, officials and fans, Belgian rider Roger Decock was the only person to see him go over the ravine.

The ravine was approximately 1,000 feet or 300 meters deep, and much of it was steep enough that a falling person would continue falling all the way to the bottom.

Van Est fell about 200 feet or 70 meters trying to grab at the saplings growing on the mountainside to break his fall.

Fortunately he slowed and was able to grab hold of a small tree nearby a one meter wide outcrop, which he then made his way to.

Even if he wanted to he could not climb back up or down, despite the fact he did not suffer any major injury.

As Van Est precariously sat overlooking a several hundred foot drop he began screaming for help.

2016

Van Est was born in the town of Fijnaart, in North Brabant, the 2nd child in a family of 16 children.

His family was pushed into poverty in the aftermath of World War One and growing up he lived on a makeshift farm.

During this time one of his brothers died at a very young age and his father had to make a coffin for the child, and ride several miles on his bike while carrying the coffin with his son inside to the local church to give the child a proper burial.

During World War 2 the teenage Van Est began riding a considerable distance into Belgium smuggling tobacco and cheese which he would either sell or trade for soap, which he would return home with in order to sell on the Black Market.

He was caught doing this during the war and had to serve six months in prison.

After this, while the Nazi's occupied his homeland, the teenage Van Est got the idea cycling for sport.

When the war was over and races began again he saw a local race and thought he could beat everyone, but it would take him five years to reach the pro level.

2017

Fortunately Decock stopped when Van Est went over, giving up his 5th place in the overall standings dropping to 17th by the end of the Tour as a result of the 25 minutes he lost assisting the Dutchman.

When the Dutch team car arrived and were told what happened they screamed down the mountain for him for several minutes hearing nothing but echoes.

After a few minutes they were able to find his approximate location.

It took the team quite some time to tie together every single tire tube they had in order to make a rope that they hoped would reach him.

After a great deal of time their 75 meter "rope" reached Van Est and he was able to use the tires to rig together a hoist which he put around his chest under both arms.

Helped by spectators and his manager, he managed to get back to the road.

Van Est wanted to continue, but was persuaded to go to the hospital because he had just crashed down a 200 foot ravine.

At home, Van Est's fame grew even more when Belgian watchmaker Pontiac, which had supplied watches to the Dutch team in the Tour de France, started an advertising campaign "Seventy meters deep I dropped, my heart stood still but my Pontiac never stopped".