Achiel Buysse Makes Flanders History
The 27th edition of the Tour of Flanders was held April 19, 1943.
The Ronde raced 215 km from Gent to Gent (Kuipke Velodrome) in German-occupied Belgium during World War 2. The race, one of the few major cycling events held during 1943, was organized by Belgian news agencies/authorities with German supervision.
The promotion was intended to elevate public morale in Belgium. The course had atrocious "War damaged" road conditions, which challenged the brave 127 riders at the start.
Race Status:
From the start the peloton attacked and put pressure on the early flat kms.
Into the middle kms of the race a decisive breakaway formed featuring Achiel Buysse (Dilecta), Albert Sercu (Dilecta) and Camille Beeckman (Individual).
The breakaway maintained their advantage into the closing kms.
Three riders rode into the Gent finish. Buysse (Dilecta) entered the Kuipke Velodrome (an indoor track) driving a hard pace with Sercu (Dilecta) and Beeckman (Individual) on his wheel.
Achiel Buysse dominated the sprint and took the Flanders victory.
SPECIAL NOTE: Flanders champion of 1940 and 1941 Achiel Buysse made history in 1943 becoming the first three-time champion.
Flanders April 19, 1943 |
215 Km, Gent to Gent (Kuipke Velodrome) |
1. Achiel BUYSSE (Bel) 6h07'58" |
2. Albert Sercu (Bel) |
3. Camille Beeckman (Bel) |
Starters: 127 Finishers: 37Average Speed: 33.427 km/h |
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RVV 1942 RVV 1944
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