Belgian cycling legend Rik Van Looy dies at 90

Belgium is mourning the loss of Rik Van Looy, known as the Emperor of Herentals, who passed away at the age of 90. Van Looy, one of Belgium’s greatest cyclists, died in his sleep after a period of illness.

A true icon of Belgian cycling, Van Looy secured his legendary status in the 1950s and 1960s by winning numerous prestigious races. He conquered all five major cycling monuments - the Tour of Flanders, Milan-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and the Giro di Lombardia. In addition, he achieved remarkable success in the Tour de France (nine stage wins), the Giro d’Italia (twelve stage wins), and the Vuelta (eighteen stage wins). 

Van Looy’s success was driven by a strong sprinting ability rather than climbing prowess, resulting in a total of 493 career wins. In 1960 and 1961, he earned two consecutive World Championships in Karl-Marx-Stadt and Bern. He was the oldest living World Champion in cycling history.

After retiring, Van Looy became the director of the Flemish Cycling School in Herentals, the town where he earned the nickname Emperor of Herentals. His contributions to Belgian cycling during its golden era in the 1950s and 1960s earned him honorary citizenship in the town.

^{#FlandersNewsServicee | Former Belgian cyclist Rik Van Looy is interviewed during the presentation of the book 'Rik Van Looy 80' in November 2013 © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND}