Hennie Stamsnijder was the first Dutch cyclo-cross rider who could hold his own with the best of the world. In 1981 in Tolosa he was also the first Dutch world champion in this discipline. Before he specialised in cyclo-cross racing he proved himself to be an all-round cyclist. Hennie Stamsnijder was one of the best, both on the road, the track and in the field. When he became a professional rider in 1980, he mainly focussed on cyclo-cross, although he also rode many big races on the road. Hennie Stamsnijder became the ambassador of Dutch cyclo-cross. He became Dutch champion nine times and won the Super Prestige cyclo-cross four times.
When Hennie Stamsnijder became Dutch champion on the road in 1979 in Geulle, he was faced with a difficult choice. After all, on a muddy track in Saccolongo he had barely lost the world title cyclo-cross with the amateurs. However, the professional team of DAF trucks gave him the opportunity to combine the road and cyclo-cross. In the summer, in the heavy road races he laid a good foundation for the condition struggle in the winter. In 1980 he immediately won a bronze medal at the world championships in Wetzikon. When during the next winter his team mate Roger de Vlaeminck gave him some tips and advice, the progress was remarkable. During the world championships in Tolosa he was in a class of his own and "Stammie" wrote history by winning the world title as the first Dutch cyclo-cross rider.
There are many reasons why he did not win any more rainbow jerseys. In the first place, at that time Stamsnijder was confronted with a superior Roland Liboton. The Belgian had more class than the strong-willed Stamsnijder. In addition, the world championships track was not always to the advantage of the rider from Enter. Stamsnijder loved a heavy race with a lot of running intervals that was clearly to his advantage with his large steps. Conversely, he hated snowy and frozen tracks. He also had to deal with his share of bad luck during the years, like in 1982 when he had to defend his title in the French Lanarvilly. He fell down hard in the fourth lap and hit his side on a post. This caused him to lose contact with the leaders, but in spite of all the pain he still succeeded in securing the bronze medal. In Birmingham one year later there was little honour to be awarded to Stamsnijder. The fast track with many turns was to the disadvantage of the man from Twente, who did not get further than fifth place.
Hennie Stamsnijder had many expectations of the world championships that were held in the Dutch Oss in 1984. Liboton was the big favourite again, because the Belgian rider had been almost unbeatable during the months prior to the title race. Nevertheless, Hennie Stamsnijder set the tone in the title race at the rubbish dump in Oss. However, on the hard track he was not able to shake off Liboton and in the final sprint the Belgian rider relegated the Dutchman to second place.
One year later, Stamsnijder ran into bad luck again in Munich. On the slippery track around the Olympic Stadium he fell down. Disappointed, he left the arena with strained hamstrings. In 1986, Hennie Stamsnijder was given a unique chance to reconquer the world title in the Belgian Lembeek. The track in the Belgian settlement was transformed into a quagmire. Much running was required and that is why the track appeared to be cut out for Hennie Stamsnijder. However, the Dutchman was confronted with a cast-iron Swiss pair. Pascal Richard and Albert Zweifel cornered "Stammie" and again he had to be satisfied with the bronze medal. The world championships in the Czech Mlada Boleslav were very similar to those of Munich. The same circumstances, the same winners and again Stamsnijder fell down. The Dutchman did not fall until the last bend, but he did lose third place because of it. Once again, Stamsnijder was given a chance to win the world title. In the Swiss Hägendorf he came across a track with quite a lot of difference in height and many running intervals. However, the Dutchman was as slow as molasses and ended in a disappointing eight place.
When in 1983 the Super Prestige cyclo-cross was established, it soon turned out that Hennie Stamsnijder was a very regular cyclo-cross rider. He won this classification four times and ended in second place three times. Some people say that it was because of the Super Prestige that Stamsnijder did not win a new world title. At that time, his schedule was to heavy, as a result of which he did not have enough reserves at the world championships. However, these are merely assumptions that are difficult to prove. The Swiss hardly ever participated in the Super Prestige and they also often failed at the world championships.
In his own country, Hennie Stamsnijder was the absolute ruler of the field for many years. He became Dutch champion twice with the amateurs and won the red-white-blue jersey with the professional riders seven times. In addition, Hennie Stamsnijder won 14 Super Prestige races in his career.

http://www.wkveldrijden2006.nl/html/EN/historie_wkhelden9.asp