Eric De Vlaeminck
Encyclopedia
Erik De Vlaeminck is a former Belgian cyclist. He is the brother of Roger De Vlaeminck
.
The spelling "Eric" rather than "Erik" is the French version of his name. He prefers Erik.
He became cyclo-cross
world-champion seven times (in 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973), a record. He missed 1967 only because his bike was damaged during the race. He also became Belgian champion four times (1967, 1969, 1971, 1972) at a time when there were so many good Belgian riders that the domestic champîonship was often harder than the world-championship.
He also performed creditably in road races, including the Tour de France. In 1969 he won the Tour of Belgium
and a stage in the Tour de France
.
De Vlaeminck never failed a drugs test in his racing career but was treated after it for amphetamine addiction. Many stories circulate about his supposed wild behaviour after races and after his career was over and when he returned to racing, the Belgian federation would offer him a licence for only a day at a time until it saw how his life would progress. De Vlaeminck refuses to speak of this period of his life.
His re-establishment was complete, however, because he became the national cyclo-cross coach and led Belgium to a dominating period of international success. He always complained, however, that while cyclo-cross brought Belgium its world championship medals, it was to road racing that the bulk of the funds were given.
De Vlaeminck's son Geert died of a heart attack in a cyclo-cross race while his father was watching.
Roger De Vlaeminck
Roger De Vlaeminck is a Belgian former professional racing cyclist. He was described by Rik Van Looy as '"The most talented and the only real classics rider of his generation"...
.
The spelling "Eric" rather than "Erik" is the French version of his name. He prefers Erik.
He became cyclo-cross
Cyclo-cross
Cyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing. Races typically take place in the autumn and winter , and consists of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and...
world-champion seven times (in 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973), a record. He missed 1967 only because his bike was damaged during the race. He also became Belgian champion four times (1967, 1969, 1971, 1972) at a time when there were so many good Belgian riders that the domestic champîonship was often harder than the world-championship.
He also performed creditably in road races, including the Tour de France. In 1969 he won the Tour of Belgium
Tour of Belgium
The Tour of Belgium is a four-day bicycle race which is held annually in Belgium.It was held annually between 1908 and 1981, except during both world wars. Between 1982 and 1990 several of races were not organised and none at all during the decade 1991 to 2001...
and a stage in the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
.
De Vlaeminck never failed a drugs test in his racing career but was treated after it for amphetamine addiction. Many stories circulate about his supposed wild behaviour after races and after his career was over and when he returned to racing, the Belgian federation would offer him a licence for only a day at a time until it saw how his life would progress. De Vlaeminck refuses to speak of this period of his life.
His re-establishment was complete, however, because he became the national cyclo-cross coach and led Belgium to a dominating period of international success. He always complained, however, that while cyclo-cross brought Belgium its world championship medals, it was to road racing that the bulk of the funds were given.
De Vlaeminck's son Geert died of a heart attack in a cyclo-cross race while his father was watching.
Achievements
- World champion in cyclo-cross: 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 (3rd: 1977)
- Belgian Champion in cyclo-crossCyclo-crossCyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing. Races typically take place in the autumn and winter , and consists of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and...
: 1967, 1969, 1971, 1972 (2nd: 1975, 1977) - Cyclo-crossCyclo-crossCyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing. Races typically take place in the autumn and winter , and consists of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and...
Champion of Hainaut de : 1975 - Cyclo-crossCyclo-crossCyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing. Races typically take place in the autumn and winter , and consists of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and...
of Waasmunster: 1970 (provincial championship) - Flemish champion cyclo racing: 1969
- Tour of Belgium: 1969
- Paris-Luxembourg: 1970
- Tour of East Flanders: 1969, 1970
- Circuit of the Flemish Ardennes: 1969 (3rd: 1977)
- Winner, Stage 2 of the 1968 Tour de France1968 Tour de FranceThe 1968 Tour de France was the 55th Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 21, 1968. It consisted of 22 stages over 4684.8 km, ridden at an average speed of 34.894 km/h...
- 2nd in the La Flèche WallonneLa Flèche WallonneLa Flèche Wallonne is a major men's professional cycle road race held in April each year in Belgium.The first of two Belgian Ardennes classics, La Flèche Wallonne is today normally held mid-week between the Amstel Gold Race and Liège–Bastogne–Liège...
: 1969 (3rd: 1970)