Bauke Mollema (Belkin) celebrates his birthday today, but he received an early present yesterday as he was named Dutch rider of the year for the second time.

"It’s a wonderful feeling," said the winner as he stood on the stage of Theater aan de Parade. "It’s great to win this award. A very nice reward for a great season," Mollema said according to De Telegraaf. Mollema also won the award in 2011.

Mollema shot to fame during this year’s Tour de France. He occupied the runner up spot for a long time, but fell sick on the stage to L'Alpe d'Huez and eventually finished sixth overall. Furthermore Mollema won a stage in the Vuelta a España, and thanks to a stage victory in Crans Montana he finished second overall in the Tour of Switzerland.

In the election of Cyclist of the Year Mollema kept the other nominees Pieter Weening, Lars van der Haar, Joost Wichman and Matthijs Buchli behind him to take the honours. Mollema was also chosen as rider of the year by the visitors of Telesport.nl.

Marianne Vos was named Dutch female rider of the year.