After a brief but promising amateur career, Gerrit Schulte turned professional in 1937. Initially focusing on the more lucrative track races, he won 19 six-day-races (out of 73 starts) between 1940 and 1960, also earning nine Dutch pursuit titles. In 1948, he claimed the world title in the latter event, in front of a home crowd in Amsterdam. In 1949 and 1950, he also won the European Madison title. By then, Schulte had also picked up road racing, and won four Dutch road race crowns (1944, 1948, 1950, 1953). He was also strong in the World Championships, finishing 5th twice and 4th once, before finally winning a bronze medal in the 1956 edition behind Rik Van Steenbergen and Rik Van Looy. Other notable wins include a stage victory in the 1938 Tour de France, his only Grand Tour appearance. Since 1955, the Gerrit Schulte Trofee has been award to the best Dutch professional cyclist - Schulte himself won it in 1958. After his cycling career, Schulte managed the restaurant in De Vliert, the football stadium of his home town Den Bosch.
Netherlands