Hendrik Gerardus Jozef "Joop" Zoetemelk (pronounced [ˈjoːp ˈsutəmɛlk]; born 3 December 1946) is a retired professional racing cyclist from the Netherlands who has emigrated to France. He started, and finished, the Tour de France 16 times – a record. Three other riders have had more than 16 starts, but none has yet matched Zoetemelk's record of completing the event. He won the race in 1980 and also came eighth, fifth, fourth (three times) and second (six times). He won the world professional road championship in 1985 at 38. He retired from the sport to run a hotel at Meaux, near Paris, France.

Zoetemelk was raised in Rijpwetering, the son of Maria and Gerard Zoetemelk. He started working as a carpenter. He became a speed-skater and a regional champion before turning to cycling in 1964. He joined the Swift club in Leiden and made a fast impression, winning youth races in his first season. He rode particularly well as a senior in multi-day races. He won the Tour of Yugoslavia, the Circuit des Mines, three stages and the mountains prize in the Tour of Austria, and the 1969 Tour de l'Avenir. He also won a gold medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City in the 100 km team time-trial with Fedor den Hertog, Jan Krekels and René Pijnen.

Zoetemelk turned professional for Briek Schotte's Belgian Mars-Flandria team in 1970. He came second to Eddy Merckx in that year's Tour de France.

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