100 years TT Assen
In the previous newsletter we already extensively discussed the special PostNL issue commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Dutch TT, issued on 5th of June 2025. Since then, of course, the TT races have been held at the end of June, but there's more to report on the anniversary.
Firstly, there's a private person selling many personalized stamps on Marktplaats (a well-known Dutch trading website), trading under the name Playtime (living in Assen!), who has created a considerable number of stamps dedicated to the TT. These are, of course, now included in the overview of personalized stamps on the MFN website, but I'd still like to show them here.
Firstly, a few stamps featuring images of old TT posters and the like:
In addition, two more stamps specifically for the 100th anniversary, and one with Egbert Streuer and Bernard Schnieders, photographed on their way to their TT victory in 1987:
Next to that there was the Historical Parade 100 Years Dutch TT. Because the first TT was held on Saturday 11 July 1925, this event took place in Rolde on Saturday 12 July 2025.
Participants in this parade rode one lap, following as much as possible the original circuit of the first TT. The start was near the windmill on the Brink in Rolde, and the route went via Borger, Schoonloo, and Grolloo back to Rolde, a total of 28.4 km!
Unlike back then, the roads are now all asphalt or paved. In 1925, large sections were only slightly paved, and there was even a substantial stretch of sandy road! Another key difference was that this time it wasn't a race, but a demonstration ride. Participants were preceded by riders on modern motorcycles who also kept the speed within reasonable limits.
The parade featured a wide variety of motorcycles: from pure road bikes to racers and sidecars, and from a 1903 Lurquin-Coudert to very recent Ducati superbikes. The parade was therefore divided into four different age categories and a separate group for sidecars.
Particularly special was the participation of Dick de Vries from Assen. His grandfather, Dirk de Vries, after whom he was named, rode a 500cc BSA in the very first TT in 1925. After a crash at the start, he couldn't get his bike started quickly, resulting in him starting last in the combined 350cc and 500cc start. While he was making progress catching up, he crashed in the 3rd of the 7 laps.
The man behind the motorcycle is probably Dirk de Vries, preparing his bike for the race
As a tribute to his grandfather, Dick wanted to participate in the Historic TT Parade. However, because he didn't own a motorcycle himself, he had to find someone willing to lend his for the occasion.
He finally succeeded, and was able to ride in the parade on a (Dutch!) Sparta NL 250cc Victoria motorcycle from 1954, which he had provided with his grandfather's starting number, 33.
Because of his special story, Dick was put on pole position for the start
Also thanks to the good weather it was a very successful event, which participants and visitors look back on with great pleasure.
Lurquin-Coudert from 1903
Paul Essens
Top - Back to former page - Home |