Karel Kaers

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Medal record
Competitor for Belgium
Road bicycle racing
World Championships
Gold	1934 Leipzig	Elite Men's Road Race

Karel Kaers, born in Vosselaar, Belgium, 3 June 1914 – died Antwerp, 20 December 1972 was a professional cyclist with 30 wins. In 1934 he became the youngest world road champion, winning in Leipzig at 20. He also won the Ronde van Vlaanderen in 1939, and the Belgian national championship in 1937.

Lance Armstrong is frequently described as the youngest world champion. In fact, he was only the third youngest road champion when he took the rainbow jersey in Oslo in 1993. Armstrong was two weeks short of 22; Kaers had just turned 20. Jean-Pierre Monseré was three weeks short of 22 when he became champion in Leicester on August 16, 1970.

[edit] Palmares

1930: Belgium U17 Road Race Champion
1931-1932: Belgium U19 Sprint Champion
1934: World Road Race Champion; 3rd, National Sprint Championship
1935 - Francis Pélissier: 3rd, National Sprint Championship
1936 - Colin: 1st, 6 Days of Paris (with Albert Billiet); 3rd, National Sprint Championship
1937 - Alcyon, Bury: Belgium Road Race Champion; 1st, Circuit de Paris; 3rd, National Sprint Championship
1938 - Alcyon, Bury: 1st, Stage 1, Paris-Saint Etienne
1939 - Alcyon: Belgium Pursuit Champion; 1st, Ronde van Vlaanderen; 1st, 6 Days of London (with Omer De Bruycker); 1st, 6 Days of Copenhague (with Omer De Bruycker); 3rd, National Sprint Championship
1940 - Alcyon: 1st, 6 Day of Brussels (with Omer De Bruycker); 2nd, National Demi-Fond Championship
1941: 1st, Omloop der Vlaamse Gewesten; 2nd, National Sprint Championship
1942: 1st, 3 Days of Antwerp (with Achiel Bruneel; 2nd, National Omnium Championship
1944 - A. Trialoux
1947 - Magali

Sporting positions
Preceded by Georges Speicher	World Road Racing Champion 1934	Succeeded by Jean Aerts
Preceded by Edgard De Caluwé	Winner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen 1939	Succeeded by Achiel Buysse