1st Ronde van Vlaanderen 1913 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium)

A Belgian Monument is Born

The first ever Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders) was the last of cycling's 5 monuments to start. Newspaper reporter Karel Van Wijnendaele ( Vine-en-doll ) was the first race director in 1913. The race started in the middle of Gent and headed out in a big loop, ending in Meerbeke 370 km later. In an effort to keep the historic and cultural identity, Van Wijnendaele took special note to include most of the major cities of Flanders on the race route. The prize list of 1,600 Francs was large by the standards of the times.

A teacher was paid 1,200 Francs for a year's work. Belgian Paul Deman won the epic battle to become the first winner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen.

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