Never heard of him? hardly surprising. A little known Belgian cyclist of the 1940s.
So whats so special about him? How about, he was twice Road race world champion in 1948 and 1950. Twice winner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen in 1942 and 1948. And competed in 20 Tours of Flanders between 1940 and 1959. He was nearly 40!
He was a fiersome athelete and earned the nickname in the peloton of Iron Briek. A phenomonal competitor and has a statue in Waregem in Flanders. A revered cyclist of a bygone era.
Following his retirement he became a coach of his beloved sport. He died in 2004 on the very day of the Ronde van Valaanderen. I'm sure he smiled on his way to heaven.
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