Hennie Kuiper giving everything on his way to the 1972 Olympic title in Munich. The tongue poking out is a typical sign of utmost concentration

Joy and dejection on the press stand in Yvoir, 1975. World champion Hennie Kuiper is interviewed by Theo Koomen (left) and Jean Nelissen (right). To the left of Koomen, Hans Prakke tries to take a photo of Kuiper. Next to Kuiper – wearing glasses – Martijn Lindenberg, television director for the Dutch broadcaster NOS. Barely a metre away, sorrow is written all over Eddy Merckx’s face as Fred De Bruyne fires questions at him

Hennie Kuiper’s Luctor et Emergo (‘I struggle and emerge’). In both 1977 and 1978 he wins the Tour stage that finishes with the climb of l’Alpe d’Huez. In 1977 he is gloriously first to the top. A year later – this photo is from 1978 – he is declared the winner after Michel Pollentier is caught cheating

Drama as the prelude to the ultimate achievement. In Paris-Roubaix 1983, near Hem, Hennie Kuiper stands at the roadside, pleading for a new bike. His lead over the chasers will shrink to 17 seconds, but through sheer doggedness and willpower Kuiper still secures his historic victory in the final kilometres