Twice, in 1937 and 1942, John Braspennincx became Dutch champion in the professional road race, having already won the amateur title in 1936. When he won in 1942, he fell into the window of a jeweler, drove on despite injuries and won. He started mainly at criteria in the Netherlands, of which he won around 130. In 1949 he won the eight van Chaam .
In 1937 Braspennincx took part in the Tour de France , but gave up after five stages in protest because there was no mechanic on site and he was supposed to clean his bike himself in the evening.
Braspennincx had many nicknames. It was called "d'n Bras", but also "d'n Flap" because of its sail ears. Because of his numerous victories he got the title "King of the fair races". He was born in Belgium and lived in the Belgian-Dutch border area, which he used for intensive smuggling during the occupation, which is why he was also called the "King of Smugglers".
Braspennincx came from a racing family: four of his cousins and other relatives were active cyclists. The most successful was his cousin Janus , who had already become road champion in 1930. To distinguish it from John Braspennincx, the older Janus was called "Ouwe Bras" (= old Bras).