3rd Ronde van Vlaanderen 1919 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium)

Top 20 All Time Major Classics #8

A Legendary Belgian Tale!

March 23, 1919, four months after the ‘last shots' of World War 1, bicycle racing in Belgium returned with the Tour of Flanders. Incredibly talented Belgian rider Henri 'Ritte' Van Lerberghe, second in 1914, arrived at the start line in Gent directly from his military post. Van Lerberghe did not have his own bicycle but managed to borrow one from a relative of racer Jules Messelis.

Just before the start of the race 'Ritte' shouted: "I will ride you all to hell!!!" Race favorite Jules Vanhevel had the best laugh on hearing the declaration, and 'Ritte' replied to his laugh: "You shouldn't laugh because I'll ride you off my wheel in front of your own house!!!"

True to his ‘opening declaration,’ Van Lerberghe kept his promise and attacked on a hill in the Town of Ichtegem (the hometown of Jules Vanhevel!!!). Amused by the theatrics, Vanhevel and the other racers let him have the initial breakaway. By the time the peloton realized the size of the time gap and started to chase him, it was too late. 'Ritte' was too far ahead.

SPECIAL NOTE: The 1919 edition of Flanders included the first two categorized hills (bergs), the Kwaremont and Tiechemberg.

Steadily in heavy North Sea winds he increased his time advantage. Riding into Gentbrugge with the velodrome finish line in sight, Van Lerberghe stopped at a local pub (!) and simply ordered a "Demie" (a demie is Belgian blond beer). It tasted so good he ordered another… and then another. Race official Oscar Van Braeckel noticed 'Ritte' sitting in the pub and he summoned Van Lerberghe's coach to fetch the now intoxicated race leader.

The finish of the race at the Gentbrugge velodrome:
(L) Henri Van Lerberghe is guided over the finish. (R) Runner-up Leon Buysse (+14 minutes).

After considerable persuasion Van Lerberghe's coach succeeded in dragging him from the pub. While 'Ritte' was doing his “lap of honor” in the velodrome (walking because he was not able any longer to ride his bicycle) he cried out to the public: "You can all go home, I've got half a day lead on the others!!!!!"

Actually, he only had 14 minutes left of his initial advance because of his little passage through the Pub.

Henri Vanlerberghe did complete the course and crossed the finish line for the 1919 victory in the Tour of Flanders.

SPECIAL NOTE: During his epic ride to the victory in Flanders 1919, Henri Van Lerberghe did not let anyone, or anything, slow his pursuit of victory (which is not completely true because the demie's really slowed him down!!!!). As legend has it, Henri came to a downed railroad crossing with a train blocking the road. He proceeded straight through a train. Van Lerberghe, undeterred and without hesitation, hoisted his bike on his shoulder, crawled through the train car and out the other side. He then continued to gain the victory.

SPECIAL NOTE: Fourth placed Dutch rider Frits Wiersma became the first non-Belgian finisher at the Tour of Flanders.

Also see- Van Lerberghe: A Legendary Railroad Crossing

RVV 1914 RVV 1920

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