Cees van Dongen started as a rider already in the 1950's. As he worked later-on as Workshop foreman for the Dutch Yamaha Importer Messrs. "Het Motorpaleis", (the Motorpalace), he also became one of the first Yamaha riders in Europe.

Cees is now most probably the oldest Yamaha rider in the world as he already rode Yamaha factory bikes as early as 1961 (Assen, the RA41).

Cees van Dongen Assen 1961 Yamaha RA41

He was also one of the very elusive persons who had the change to ride the RD56, a very early example.

Cees van Dongen Zandvoort Yamaha RD56

Here is Cees on the "Motorpaleis" 125 ccm Yamaha, entirely built by himself and way-out the fastest private Yamaha 125 ccm racer at that time.

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A recently found picture of Cees van Dongen with one of the first Yamaha TD1C's to hit the track in the Netherlands in 1968.

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Cees van Dongen with the Yamaha RD56 where and when?

Cees van Dongen with the Yamaha RD56, where and when?