Dutch cyclist Ab Sluis began his career with victory in the national race for novices in 1956, before winning the several amateur races in both North and South Holland by the end of the decade. In 1960 Sluis won the Tour of North Holland to earn himself a place on the Olympic team, with hom he just missed out on a medal after finishing fourth in the 100 kilometres team time trial. Later that same year he finished second on the opening stage of the Milk Race in England. For his consistent results Sluis was rewarded with a professional contract, which saw him work as a domestique for the great French cyclist Jacques Anquetil at the 1961 edition of the Vuelta a España. Despite his early success, however, Sluis had little success as a professional, retiring just a year later.
Netherlands