Leontien began cycling at the age of eight, inspired by her brother Jan. She joined the Farm Frites-Hartol team in the Netherlands. Her coach was also from the Netherlands. Her most memorable achievement came in 1998 when she won the gold medal in the women's time trial at the World Championships in Valkenburg.

Olympic Success and Injuries

Leontien's Olympic journey started in 1992 in Barcelona, though she did not win a medal then. She faced a significant setback in 1994 due to an eating disorder but made a strong comeback by 1996. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she won both the road race and time trial events. In Athens 2004, despite a crash that left her with bruises and a headache, she recovered to win the individual time trial.

Awards and Honours

Throughout her career, Leontien received numerous accolades. She was named Dutch Sportswoman of the Year six times between 1990 and 2004. In 2004, she was honoured as the Best Dutch Female Cyclist of All Time by the Dutch Cycling Association. She also won the Keetie van Oosten-Hage Trofee nine times.

World Hour Record

In 2003, Leontien set a world hour record for women by covering 46.065 km in an hour. This record stood until September 2015 when it was surpassed by US cyclist Molly Shaffer Van Houweling.

Post-Cycling Career

Since retiring after the 2004 Olympics, Leontien has been active in various ventures. She owns Leontien Total Sports BV with her husband and runs a sports clothing webshop, Leontien.nl. She has also been involved in public speaking and conducting cycling clinics.

Charity Work

In December 2008, Leontien founded the Leontien van Moorsel Foundation to support young people with eating disorders. In 2015, she established Leontienhuis (Leontien House) in Zevenhuizen to further this mission.

Coaching and Team Management

After her competitive career, Leontien served as a cycling coach. From January 2009 to December 2012, she managed her own cycling team alongside her husband Michael Zijlaard.

Family Connections

Cycling runs in Leontien's family. Her brother Jan was a cyclist, and her husband Michael transitioned from cycling to coaching. Her father-in-law Joop Zijlaard was a renowned track cyclist and derny rider. Her niece Nicky Zijlaard has also been involved in road and track cycling.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Leontien plans to continue her work with the Leontien van Moorsel Foundation and Leontienhuis. She aims to expand her business ventures while remaining active in public speaking engagements and cycling clinics.

Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel's journey from a young cyclist to an Olympic champion and successful businesswoman is inspiring. Her contributions to sports and charity work continue to make a significant impact.