Vlaamse Druivenveldrit Overijse

The Vlaamse Druivenveldrit is a cyclo-cross race held in Overijse, Belgium. The race is organised by the VZW Sportvrienden Overijse and was first held in 1960. The race is regarded as a Cyclo-cross classic^[1] and has a difficult and dangerous parcours that often results in crashes.

History

Two members of the Overijse cycling club, Frans Vanhoey and Joris Bergiers, originally organized the event in 1960.^[2] Up until 1989 the race was usually held twice a year and was held three times in 1975. In addition the Belgian national cyclo-cross championships have been held on the course on five occasions in 1965, 1976, 1983, 1990 and 1996 and were organized by the same organizations. On two occasions a two-man cyclo-cross race or Kopelveldrit was also ran on the same course and disputed by professional or elite cyclo-cross riders. In 1974, Roger de Vlaeminck and Frans Verbeeck won and in 1984 Adrie van der Poel and Hennie Kuiper won. The 1984 Kopelveldrit was organised as a retirement race for Roger de Vlaeminck. The event formed part of the Superprestige cyclocross series from the beginning of the Superprestige in 1983 until the 2001-2002 season.^[3] The race currently is not part of a cyclo-cross classification competition. The race has been won by many of the top cyclo-cross cyclists with multiple Cyclocross world champion Roland Liboton being the record holder in the event with 15 wins. Liboton is followed by the de Vlaeminck brothers, Eric and Roger who have nine and six wins each. In the 2005 edition, Bart Wellens kicked a spectator who was allegedly throwing beer at him. Wellens went on to win the event after Boom slipped in the final lap and initially was awarded the win despite the threat of disqualification.^[4] Several days later after a meeting of the three race commissionaires and the UCI, Wellens was disqualified and Boom was awarded the win.^[5]

Past winners

Women’s winners

Winners when run as Belgian Cyclo Cross Championships

References

• Erelijst

External links

• Official website