Powerful Italian Dominates… Again!
The 34th edition of the Tour of Flanders was held April 2, 1950.
The miserable Belgian weather with an icy head wind along the coast and periods of snow inland, greeted the 220 starters in Gent.
Defending champion Fiorenzo Magni (Wilier) returned in great form and relentlessly dominated the front of the race.
Race Status:
Briek Schotte (Alcyon), who was racing Flanders for the 11th consecutive time (of an eventual 20 consecutive times), could have fared better in 1950. Briek, riding with Magni, Wim Van Est (Ned-Garin), and Andre Mahe (Fra-Stella) in the breakaway.
Schotte suffered a puncture in the breakaway. His fingers were frozen, he could barely change the punctured tire. Luckily, a spectator helped with the tire change. Schotte started his pursuit of the leaders 5 minutes behind the breakaway.
Fiorenzo Magni (Ita-Wilier) rode away from the breakaway group on the Muur de Geraardsbergen. * He was initially joined by Mahe and Van Est.
The French rider punctured and surrendered to the brutal weather, he abandoned the race.
Van Est crashed heavily but managed to recover and continued. The tough Dutchman finished the race, but his effort was slow. He finished the race in 16th place, 17’30” behind the winner.
Magni rode solo for the final 67 kms all the way to Wetteren. He claimed his second consecutive Tour of Flanders victory.
Into the finish Schotte had caught and passed the lead chasing group. He finished only 2 minutes behind Magni.
After the race Briek told reporters: “this was the best Tour of Flanders I ever rode.”
SPECIAL NOTE: * The 1950 edition of Flanders added a fifth berg with the first ascent of the Muur de Geraardsbergen (Muur Grammont in French). In 1950 the total bergs were 5 (Tiegemberg, Kwaremont, Kruisberg, Edelareberg, and Muur).
Flanders April 2, 1950 |
273 Km, Gent to Wetteren |
1.
Fiorenzo MAGNI (Ita) 8h15'00" |
2.
Briek Schotte (Bel) +2'15" |
3.
Louis Caput (Fra) +9'20" |
Starters: 220 Finishers: 22Average Speed: 33.091 km/h |
|
RVV 1949 RVV 1951
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