In two weeks, Tom Dumoulin is among the candidates for the title of Ducth Cyclist of the Year. At the request of the Ducth AD newspaper, the Dutch talent from Giant-Shimano listed the five most beautiful moments of his dream season while attending the Amstel Curacao Race. "My performance at the Worlds has more value to me than the bronze medal. That is just a trashy thing," he says.

5. 5th in the Tour de Suisse - June 22

"It was the first time that I really went for GC in a difficult WorldTour stage race. With decent climbs. A summit finish in Verbier is still somthing. The fifth place in the GC was an eye-opener. At least on the climbs. I can really continue like that, also in the big Tours. Therefore I see that performance as better than my second place in the final time trial of the Tour where I finished one and a half minute behind Tony Martin. For the general public, it was good but personally I was not very happy. I could do better. Much better."

4. Victory in the Criterium International time trial - March 29

"Finally! My first pro win. I had achieved nice results but I always missed out on the wins. But I still have a little bit of that feeling. This year I won four times but very often it did not go my way. Winning is something fantastic but unfortunately I am not good at enjoying it. Immediately I try to see what I can learn. It would be nice to dwell on the success for a little longer but that is how I am. I am very ambitious. In the long term, that is probably better."

3. Victory in the Eneco Tour time trial - August 13

"In Breda, I was at my top level and was able to beat Cancellara. 10-11 minutes of full gas suit me really well. It was my first victory in the WorldTour and that means something extra. For everyone, the Criterium Internayional is a level below. But people don't forget about the Eneco Tout. That result will stand."

2. Dutch time trial title - June 25

"Due to the setting, it was obviously dramatic in Zaltbommel. We had trucks on the course and riders that came against me. It was a amateurish as it can possibly be. But I earned my jersey there which I can wear for an entire year. Based on my results I knew I would normally win. So I put all the pressure on myself. I don't like to do that but I like to say the truth. If a jorunalist asks me if I am the leading contender? Should I lie? No. If that's the way it is, it is what I will say. Lying in the media does not help me to take the pressure off so I just have to learn to deal with it."

1. Bronze medal at the Worlds time trial -September 24

"This must be number one. No discussion. I knew that I was among the three best time trialists in the world, but I still had to show it on the biggest stage. I was really ridiculously nervous. But I also felt super strong. I rode much better than ever before. I was on the podium with Wiggins and Martin, two of the greatest champions of the sport. Wonderful. Where is that medal now? That's a good question. I think it is somewhere in a closet. at home somewhere placed in a closet.  For me the performance has much more value than the medal. It is just a trashy thing."