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By Barry Boyce,
CyclingRevealed Historian
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King of the Classics Wins His 1st Ronde
Belgian superstar Rik Van Looy would be the first rider to win all 5 of cycling's monuments. Already the winner of the 1958 Milan-San Remo, a very fit Van Looy powered to his first Ronde victory in 1959.
Van Looy attacked to win the lucrative prize at the top of the Muur de Grammont. After a small regrouping on the descent Van Looy controlled the breakaway and sprinted to the victory in Wetteren.
SPECIAL NOTE: Great Flandrian hero Albriek "Briek" Schotte race his 20th consecutive Tour of Flanders (1940-1959). He reached the podium 8 times (1st twice, 2nd twice and 3rd four times).
| Flanders March 30, 1959 |
| 242 Km, Gent to Wetteren |
1.
Rik VAN LOOY (Bel) 6h14'00" |
2.
Frans Schoubben (Bel) +2" |
3.
Gilbert Desmet 1 (Bel) +10" |
| Starters: 143 |
| Finishers: 58 |
| Average Speed: 36.820 km/h |
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43rd Ronde van Vlaanderen 1959 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium) 
