The New “Lion of Flanders”
The 30th edition of the Tour of Flanders was held April 4, 1946. This edition raced 246 km from Gent to Wetteren.
Race Status:
Riding aggressively Briek Schotte (Alcyon) attacked on the Oude Kwaremont, the move generated a 20-rider breakaway.
The group was thinned even more on the climb of the Kruisberg, when Schotte attacked again.
The final selection occurred on the climb of the Edelareberg. Frenchman Louis Theitard (Métropole) launched a brutal attack with only Schotte and Rik Van Steenbergen (Mercier) able to follow the move. Their lead grew to 3’00”.
Van Steenbergen's aggressive, attacking style dominated a three-rider breakaway. Five kilometers from the finish line in Wetteren, Van Steenbergen rode away from Schotte and Theitard.
Rik Van Steenbergen had no trouble holding the gap and crossed the finish line for his second Tour of Flanders victory.
SPECIAL NOTE: Years later Van Steenbergen stated the 1946 Flanders race was his finest victory.
Flanders April 11, 1946 |
246 Km, Gent to Wetteren |
1.
Rik VAN STEENBERGEN (Bel)
6h51'00" |
2.
Louis Thietard (Fra)
+1'10" |
3.
Briek Schotte (Bel) |
Starters: 218 Finishers: 37Average Speed: 35.912 km/h |
|
RVV 1945 RVV 1947
Return to the Timeline ToC
Return to the Race Snippets ToC |
