Kees van der Ven
Kees van der Ven is a Dutch former professional motocross racer and team manager.
Van der Ven was one of the top competitors in the F.I.M. motocross world championships in the 1980s, winning 17 Grand Prix motocross races in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc classes. A specialist on sand tracks, he was a five-time winner of the Le Touquet beach race. He placed in the top three in the 250cc motocross world championship for four consecutive years between 1980 and 1983.
In 1984 he switched to the 125 class and finished in third place, and in 1987 he finished in third place in the 500 class. He rode most of his career for the KTM factory. Van der Ven also competed in enduro events and was a member of the winning Dutch team at the 1984 International Six Days Enduro.
After his riding career ended, he became a successful team manager for KTM, winning the 2000 125 world championship with Grant Langston as his rider.
