13th World Championship Road Race 1946

Return of the World Championship Road Race

The 1946 World Championship Road Race was held in Zurich , Switzerland . The race course was 20 laps of a 13.5 km circuit that included the difficult climb of the Neubuhl each lap.

After the war, Marcel Kint (Bel) was back to face 1938 amateur champion Hans Knecht of Switzerland . The race saw Kint break away early in the race and ride solo into the closing kilometers. Kint's victory was almost assured of the win when controversy arose. Fellow Belgian Rik van Steenbergen chased down his teammate with Knecht glued to his wheel. On the final climb, Kint surged away again, but a spectator reached out and grabbed him allowing the Swiss rider to catch and pass Kint. Knecht rode away from the Belgians and won the championship.

.

Return to the Timeline ToC

Return to the Race Snippets ToC

“Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.”
Fausto Coppi, Italian
"Champion of Champions"