Huge Crowds from Start to Finish
The popularity of the race in Flanders was booming. Huge crowds came to watch the race from start to finish. The Belgian contingent did not disappoint.
Defending champion Rik Van Looy's teammate blew the race apart on the climb of the famed Oude Kwaremont. An elite group formed with Tom Simpson and Raymond Poulidor leading the way.
Van Looy and Poulidor attacked and opened a small gap. Into the final lap of Gentbrugge the chasing group jumped hard to close the gap. Four riders caught the two leaders and entered the final kilometer 30 seconds ahead. Big German Rudi Altig crashed as Noel Fore surprised all and attacked early. Frans Melckenbeeck blew passed Simpson and closed at the finish line but the big Belgian held on to win the 1963 Ronde.
SPECIAL NOTE: Noel Fore's victory was completed in a record average speed of 40.680 km/h.
| Flanders March 31, 1963 |
| 249 Km, Gent to Gentbrugge |
1.
Noel FORE (Bel) 6h08'42" |
2.
Frans Melckenbeeck (Bel)
|
3.
Tom Simpson (GBr)
|
| Starters: 133 |
| Finishers: 47 |
| Average Speed: 40.680 km/h |
Return to the Timeline ToC
Return to the Race Snippets ToC |
47th Ronde van Vlaanderen 1963 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium) 
