For almost a decade, the portraits of Jan Janssen and Joop Zoetemelk have been displayed on an apartment building in Utrecht. The mural has been a neighbourhood highlight, but an ongoing urban development project will require its removal.

In February 2025, you may see the mural of the Netherlands’ two most iconic cyclists, Janssen and Zoetemelk, for the last time – at least on the corner of Cartesiusweg and Thomas à Kempisweg in Utrecht. The property is being demolished to make way for a new development plan. Now the mural is more difficult to recognize from a distance due to road closures, construction fences and work equipment, but for almost ten years it left its mark on the surrounding area.

“This suburb used to be known as a place where drugs were dealt or your bike got nicked. It wasn’t a good place anymore. But for many years with the painting, it became a landmark, a positive landmark”, says Marije Lieuwens, initiator of the mural.

In 2015, Utrecht was the starting point of the Tour de France 2015. Marije herself lives in the Zuilen neighborhood and wanted to create something remarkable to coincide with the start of the Tour de France. “I thought, the city center is already portrayed and exposed enough by this big media event. What can the neighborhood add to these festivities? I wanted to create something that would last, an eye-catcher.”

Marije then initiated and led the art project “Tour des Arts” with four artworks along the Cartesiusweg. One of the artworks “Jan Janssen & Joop Zoetemelk”, which was painted by Daniel Roozendaal, is a tribute to the only two Dutch people who have won the Tour de France. The mural has become a focal point for the neighbourhood over the last ten years. “The location of the mural is perfect because of the nearby trains. There are eight trains passing by every hour. When people are on the train, they see the two friendly faces of Jan and Joop and it’s like, oh yeah, I’m almost home,” says Marije.

The cost of progress: Utrecht’s development plan

Construction in progress: The mural “Jan Janssen & Joop Zoetemelk” will be removed soon. | Jonathan Eugster

Unfortunately, the artwork will disappear with the plan for a major urban renewal by housing corporations Woonin and Portal. The project will replace outdated rental housing with 350 new social and mid-rent apartments, as well as a new park. Demolition has already begun, and the city expects construction of the new homes to begin by the end of 2025.

“I don’t really feel sad about the mural being demolished. That’s what a city is: a place that is always developing. That means that new works come into place. In a way, that’s also the beauty of the city”, says Daniel Roozendaal, artist of the mural.

The future of the mural has been discussed several times. On December 19th, 2024, in the city council, CDA, D66, GroenLinks, and PvdA asked the alderman questions on the subject. Alderman Eva Oosters made clear that attention was given to the presence of the mural, but the artwork itself could not return to the area, as there are no large, blank facades available in the new project.

In particular, SP group chairman Tim Schipper campaigned in a proposal to the municipality in 2022 for the mural to be relocated. There were positive reactions and the search for an alternative wall in the area is still ongoing. However, this reproduction will not involve cooperation with Roozendaal. “That’s really flattering that people liked my artwork that they want to reproduce it somewhere else. But I’m not going to do it because it just feels like taking 20 steps back in time. I’m now in such a different place with my work.”

Roozendaal is now in contact with the housing corporations, to explore, how a new artwork could be included in the new complex. When asked whether it will be similar to “Jan Janssen & Joop Zoetemelk”, he says: “We’re not in the final stages yet, but if it works out, it will be something completely different. My work has become more abstract.”