Rik van Steenbergen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rik Van Steenbergen (Arendonk, 9 September 1924- Antwerp, May 15, 2003) was a Belgian cyclist, considered to be one of the best among the great number of successful Belgian cyclists.
Rik Van Steenbergen was born in Arendonk in a poor family. He started cycling as a professional during World War II in 1942, after being an amateur since he was 14. The next year, he won his first important races, and became Belgian road cycling champion. In 1944, he won the Ronde van Vlaanderen Classic, which he would win again two years later.
During his long career, which lasted until 1966, Van Steenbergen won several more Classics: Paris-Roubaix, Paris-Brussels and Milan-Sanremo. He also won the World Road Cycling Championships three times (1949, 1956 and 1957), equalling the (still standing) record of Alfredo Binda. His last world title, a year after his second, was won in front of a home crowd. In addition, he placed third in the first post-war championships in 1946.
Van Steenbergen also excelled on the track, and won a record number of 40 Six-day events, and improved two World Records. His track capabilities made him an excellent road sprinter. However, he usually had difficulties with climbing, which prevented him from winning one of the major stage races. He nevertheless placed 2nd in the 1951 Giro d'Italia. Some suggest that he could have competed for victory in the stage races had he concentrated on them, instead of racing almost every race he could enter. It is estimated Van Steenbergen has won slightly less than 1000 races, though accounts differ widely.
Van Steenbergen died in Antwerp after a prolonged sickness at the age of 78. The funeral service was held in the Sint Pauluskerk of Westmalle, and was attended by a crowd of about 2000 people, including Eddy Merckx, Rik Van Looy, Roger de Vlaeminck, Walter Godefroot, Johan De Muynck, Lucien Van Impe, Freddy Maertens and Briek Schotte. The UCI president Hein Verbruggen and Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt also attended the funeral.
[edit] Career highlights
- 3 World Road Championships (1949, 1956, 1957)
- 8 major classics wins (Ronde van Vlaanderen x 2, Paris-Roubaix x 2, Flèche Wallonne x 2, Paris-Bruxelles, Milan-Sanremo)
- 7 Belgian Road Championships
- 4 Stage wins in the Tour de France
- 15 Stage wins in the Giro d'Italia (including second overall 1951)
- 6 Stage wins in the Vuelta a España
- 40 Six Day wins
- 6 European Track Championships
- 9 Belgian Track Championships
[edit] Major Road Wins
- 1943: Belgian Road Race Championship, Championship of Flanders
- 1944: Ronde van Vlaanderen
- 1945: Belgian Road Race Championship
- 1946: Ronde van Vlaanderen
- 1948: Paris-Roubaix
- 1949: World Road Race Championship, Flèche Wallonne, 2 stages Tour de France
- 1950: Paris-Brussels, 1 stage Tour de France
- 1951: 2 stages Giro d'Italia (second overall)
- 1952: Paris-Roubaix, 3 stages Giro d'Italia
- 1953: 1 stage Giro d'Italia
- 1954: Belgian Road Race Championship, Milan-Sanremo, 4 stages Giro d'Italia
- 1955: 1 stage Tour de France
- 1956: World Road Race Championship, 6 stages Vuelta a España (5th overall)
- 1957: World Road Race Championship, 5 stages Giro d'Italia
- 1958: Flèche Wallonne
| Preceded by Briek Schotte |
World Road Racing Champion 1949 |
Succeeded by Briek Schotte |
| Preceded by Stan Ockers |
World Road Racing Champion 1956-1957 |
Succeeded by Ercole Baldini |
