A brave rider's journey from cancer diagnosis to recovery: a powerful story of resilience.
Yuli van der Molen's life took an unexpected turn on a cold January day in 2024. She had been home for just 20 minutes when her doctor called, urging her to return to the hospital. The scan results, usually a week away, were urgent. Little did she know, this call would change her life forever.
At only 20 years old, Yuli received the devastating news: she had Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare blood cancer affecting the lymphatic system. It was stage four, the most advanced stage. "I froze," Yuli recalls, her voice filled with emotion. "Then, it was survival mode. I cried, and I felt like I was in my own little world." Despite being told Hodgkin's is one of the most treatable cancers, Yuli still faced the harsh reality of chemotherapy and hair loss.
Fast forward almost two years, and Yuli is sitting at London's Lee Valley Velodrome, nursing an arm injury from a recent crash. She reflects on the journey that brought her here. It started with unexplained symptoms in February 2023. Yuli, a talented rider for AG Insurance-NXTG's under-23 team, noticed a lack of power in her right leg during training. Fatigue, restless nights, and throbbing pain followed. "I never told my parents how bad it was," she confesses. "I knew something was seriously wrong, but I didn't know what."
As the 2023 season progressed, Yuli's racing and training became a struggle. She failed to finish 10 out of 27 road races that year. Then, in December, a strange feeling in her collarbone led to a chilling realization. Remembering her mother's similar experience with non-Hodgkin lymphoma years ago, Yuli knew something was amiss. A visit to the doctor confirmed her fears. "I saw the doctor's reaction when she felt the lump, and I knew," Yuli says, imitating the doctor's wide-eyed look. That same day, Yuli raced in the Madison, placing third, before being eliminated the next day.
The new year brought a series of hospital visits, blood tests, and eventually, the scan that confirmed her worst fears. When told she needed chemotherapy, Yuli's initial response was denial, citing an upcoming training camp. But reality soon set in, and her first round of chemo was scheduled for Valentine's Day, less than a month after her diagnosis. "It was a big room with many beds," Yuli remembers. "Seeing all those bags of chemo drugs made me think, 'Is this really happening to me?'"
With the support of her mother, Esther, Yuli documented her journey on YouTube, sharing her diagnosis, chemo rounds, and even the moment she shaved her head. Her videos, raw and emotional, have been viewed over 11,000 times. One video shows Yuli injecting medicine into her abdomen, followed by a five-minute breakdown, a powerful reminder of the mental and physical toll of cancer.
Today, Yuli's YouTube channel serves as a diary of her harrowing journey. Reflecting on her videos, she says, "At first, I couldn't watch myself. Now, I'm proud of who I am. Cancer made me who I am today, in a good way, but it's a shame I had to go through it."
Determined not to lose any more time, Yuli restarted training just weeks after her last chemo session. She returned to road racing four months later but realized it was too soon. It wasn't just her physical fitness that needed recovery; it was her mental health too. "In January, I started having terrible panic attacks," Yuli admits. "The fear of cancer and not returning to my old self was overwhelming."
With the help of psychologists, Yuli began her road to recovery. She represented the Netherlands at the under-23 European Track Championships that summer, placing fourth in the elimination race and winning a silver medal in the Madison with teammate Lisa van Belle. "It was an emotional moment, sharing it with my family," Yuli says with a smile. "I may not show it to my parents, but it was quite emotional for me."
Yuli's arms now bear subtle tattoos, reminders of her journey. "I always say there's an older version of me, a cancer version, and now a new version," she explains. "It's different, but I can't quite describe how. My mum says I'm more grown-up now."
Two years later, Yuli's cancer is in remission, but the fear of recurrence lingers. "I think it will always be there," she says. Despite this, Yuli is excited about new opportunities. This season marks a fresh start with the British Continental team, O'Shea RedChilli Bikes, and a more secure place in the Dutch national track squad.
"I may never be a big winner or a big name," Yuli says, "but I'm not bitter. Two years ago, my future was measured in hospital visits. Today, it's measured in training blocks and target races."
Yuli's uncle, retired pro Niki Terpstra, a former winner of Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders, has been a constant source of support. Terpstra volunteered at a charity day for the Dutch foundation Lymph&Co, auctioning off a cycling masterclass to raise funds. "It's normal to help family, but it's also a good cause," Terpstra says.
Terpstra was there for Yuli's first track race back, just months after her last chemo session. "It was exciting to see her recover so well and return to competition," he says. "Of course, the comeback has had its ups and downs, but she's making progress. It's incredible."
Has Terpstra noticed any changes in his niece? "I think her character has changed," he says. "She's more willing to suffer for her sport now. She's suffered enough, so the suffering she does now seems like a small effort."
Yuli van der Molen's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit. Her journey from cancer diagnosis to recovery is an inspiration to us all.
