Il world of Cycling joins for the last farewell to his “Emperor”: two World Cups and 367 victoriesabsolute dominance and a legendary career. Rick van Looyan unforgettable Belgian champion, passed away peacefully between 17 and 18 December at the age of 90 years old. Born in Grobbendonk in 1933Van Looy wrote unforgettable pages in the history of cycling, dominating races among the 50s and 60s and becoming an absolute icon of sport.
Van Looy remains the only cyclist to have won all 8 original classicsincluding the five Monument: three times the Parigi-Roubaixtwice the Tour of Flanders and once each la Milan-Sanremo, the Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Lombardy.
Added to these are triumphs in legendary races such as the Walloon Arrowthe Paris-Brussels and the Paris-Tours, a result that certifies its extraordinary completeness. Van Looy won the world title in 1960 and 1961but in 1963 was at the center of a controversial episode.
In Ronse, while racing to win the third rainbow jersey, he was overtaken at the finish line by Benoni Beheythis wingman, who he ignored team orders and left him with a bitter silver. His career ended in 1970Van Looy never abandoned his bicycle.
The legendary athlete committed himself as sports director and helped train new generations of runners through his cycling school. His love for the sport leaves an indelible legacy. Rik van Looy, nicknamed the “Emperor of Herentals“, will not be forgotten: his story will continue to inspire the world of cycling.
Cycling, the victories that created the myth of Rik van Looy
World Cup: 1960 and 1961
Belgian Championship: 1958 and 1963
Paris-Roubaix: 1961, 1962 and 1965
Tour of Flanders: 1959 and 1962
Milan-Sanremo: 1958
Liège-Bastogne-Liège: 1961
Tour of Lombardy: 1959
Ghent-Wevelgem: 1956, 1957 and 1962
Paris-Brussels: 1956 and 1958
Paris-Tours: 1959 and 1967
Walloon Arrow: 1968
Tour de France: 7 stage victories and points classification 1963
Giro d’Italia: 12 stage victories and 1960 mountain classification
Vuelta de España: 18 stage victories and points classification in 1959 and 1965
