Cycling Revealed Timeline

A Young Van Steenbergen Grabs a Monument

The 28th edition of the Tour of Flanders was held April 2, 1944.

Despite wartime material shortages, supply restationing, and economic hardships, 103 brave riders left Gent and raced across Flanders on the grueling road conditions.

Race Status:

The compact peloton rode conservatively through the early flat kms. As the race rolled through the first 100 kms (125 km to go), small attacking groups tested the will of the peloton, who preferred to wait for the upcoming cobbled sections and tough bergs.

A three-rider breakaway formed at 75 km to go, passing through Aalst and Zottegem, and pulled away from the peloton.

The breakaway, enjoyed a tailwind, held the lead until 10 km to go, when six riders joined the lead group. The final selection included Rik Van Steenbergen (Trialoux), Briek Schotte (Trialoux), Célestin Riga (Dilecta), Jef Moerenhout (Dilecta), Albert Hendrickx (Lucien Michard), Frans Sterckx (Lucien Michard), Frans Bonduel (Dilecta), Marcel Kint (Mercier), and Frans Van Hellemont (Individual).

The 9-leaders flew into Gent to contend for victory.

As the breakaway approached the narrow entrance to the velodrome, confusion over directions into the track caused Frans Sterckx (Lucien Michard) and George Claes (Trialoux) to crash. 19-year-old Rik Van Steenbergen skillfully avoided the crash and slipped past the fallen riders.

The young Belgian (future superstar) rode onto the indoor track first, held off veteran Briek Schotte, and crossed the finish line first. It was the biggest win of his young career.

SPECIAL NOTE: Filming of the Tour of Flanders had been going on for years but in 1944 sound was added to the filming. Fans could enjoy the description of the race at their local movie theater.

Flanders April 2, 1944

225 Km, Gent to Gent (Kuipke Velodrome)

1. Rik VAN STEENBERGEN (Bel) 6h23'00"

2. Briek Schotte (Bel)

3. Jef Moerenhout (Bel)

Starters: 103

Finishers: 34

Average Speed: 35.091 km/h

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