Brussels Cycling Classic

Brussels Cycling Classic
Race details
Date Mid-September
Region Belgium
English name Brussels Cycling Classic
Discipline Road
Competition UCI Europe Tour
Type Single-day
History
First edition 1893 (1893)
Editions 95 (as of 2015)
First winner  André Henri (BEL)
Most wins  Robbie McEwen (AUS)
(5 wins)
Most recent  Dylan Groenewegen (NED)

The Brussels Cycling Classic (known until June 2013 as Paris–Brussels) is a semi classic European bicycle race, one of the oldest races on the international calendar.

History

Paris–Brussels was first run on 12 August 1893 as an amateur event over a distance of 397 km, Belgian Andre Henry took the inaugural victory from compatriot Charles Delbecque with France's Fernand Augenault coming in third. The race did not return to the racing calendar until 1906 when it was run as a two-day event on 3 and 4 June. The first stage of this 1906 event was run from the Paris suburb of Villiers-sur-Marne to Reims over 152 km and was won by France's Maurice Bardonneau. Albert Dupont took the more challenging second stage on the following day from Reims to Brussels over 239 km to take the overall race victory from compatriots Jules Patou and Guillaume Coeckelberg. The following year the race reverted to being a one-day race and quickly established itself as one of the Spring Classics with a date towards the end of April, between Paris–Roubaix and Gent–Wevelgem. The event lost its prestige during the 1960s when the race was beset by traffic problems between the two capitals and the Dutch promoted Amstel Gold Race took its place on the classics calendar. The race was not run between 1967 and 1972.

When the race returned in 1973 it was staged on a midweek date towards the end of September, just before Paris-Tours. The 1973 race was won by Eddy Merckx. In 1996 the race was switched from its midweek date back to being run on a Saturday. The most individual wins stood for a long time at three, by Octave Lapize (France) and Felix Sellier (Belgium). Lapize won in 1911, 1912 and 1913 and Sellier in 1922, 1923 and 1924. Lapize could have been a four time winner but was disqualified after crossing the line first in the 1910 race when he and two other riders did not observe a mid race neutralised section, Maurice Brocco who crossed the line in fourth place was declared the eventual winner. In 2007, Robbie McEwen broke the record by winning his fourth race, and bettered this again with a fifth win in 2008.[1]

In 2005 the race was set to change its name to the Grand Prix Eddy Merckx when an agreement was reached by the race organisers to amalgamate the two events. However, the deal fell through at the last minute and Paris–Brussels retained its name and the Grand Prix Eddy Merckx, a two rider time trial event, disappeared from the racing calendar.[2]

Robbie McEwan holds the record for most victories in Paris-Brussels with five wins.

In 2013 the race became the Brussels Cycling Classic and took place entirely in Belgium.

Memorable races and victories

Octave Lapize’s second victory in 1912 had an element of good fortune about it, Lucien Petit-Breton and Cyrille van Hauwaert had broken away and the race looked certain to be decided between them when both riders were knocked off their bikes by a police horse allowing Lapize to overtake and claim victory. The 1921 race won by Frenchman Robert Reboul was made controversial by the fact that a group of riders chasing a 15-man breakaway (including Reboul) was sent down the wrong route by the race director. One of the riders sent the wrong way in that 1921 race was Felix Sellier who made up for that disappointment by triumphing in the next three editions of the race. His three victories were not without difficulties however, in 1922 he survived a fierce attack from a cloud of insects, in 1923 he had to catch a break that had gained a fifteen-minute advantage and in 1924 he suffered two punctures in the latter part of the race just as the vital break was forming.

The victory by Belgian Ernest Mottard in 1930 featured one of the great escapes in the history of the race, Mottard broke away from the peloton with 130 miles (209 km) remaining and stayed away until the finish. Ireland’s Shay Elliott was particularly unfortunate in 1958, he had a lead of over a minute with only three miles remaining when he smashed the frame of this bike with no team car near at hand, he was offered a touring bicycle by a spectator but was quickly caught by the chasing bunch and finished well down the field with Belgium‘s Rik van Looy taking final victory. The 1963 edition of the race was made memorable by a small breakaway forming well before the border into Belgium, which was a rare event in itself. The break established a 13-minute lead and included Britain’s Tom Simpson who was expected to win, being the best sprinter in the break, however his gears slipped in the final sprint and he lost out to France’s Jean Stablinski.[3]

The 1966 edition of Paris–Brussels was to be the last for seven years, as the race was beset by traffic problems to the route and a loss of prestige as the Amstel Gold Race took its place on the Spring Classics calendar. However, the 1966 race was made memorable by Italian Felice Gimondi who had won the 1965 Tour de France and seven days earlier had triumphed at Paris–Roubaix. Gimondi was the favourite for the race and a marked man, he lived up to his billing by breaking away with the help of team mate Dino Zandegu and winning the race in what was then a record time.[4] Marc Demeyer claimed a close victory from Roger De Vlaeminck and Roger Rosiers in 1974 in the town of Alsemberg which hosted the finish of the race between 1973 and 1980. Gimondi’s record time lasted until 1975 when Freddy Maertens won the race in what was then a record average speed for a professional race and being awarded the Ruban Jaune for averaging 46.11 km per hour throughout the 285.5 km course. Felice Gimondi won again in 1976, ten years after his first victory, once more breaking away while the sprinters watched each other.

The 1983 race saw Sweden’s Tommy Prim become the first Scandinavian rider to win a classic race. The 1994 race saw a breakaway by Sean Yates, Rolf Sørensen and Franco Ballerini, animosity existed between Yates and Sørensen after a shirt pulling incident in the Tour de France of that year, however, Sørensen dropped his breakaway companions and triumphed. The 1983 victory by Prim saw the start of the trend of the Paris–Brussels winner coming from more diverse nationalities from non traditional cycling nations with victories going to riders from Germany, Holland, Denmark, Latvia, Australia and Luxembourg in the ensuing years. 2010 saw the first victory in the race by a Spaniard when Francisco Ventoso took victory as the race finished in the Uccle municipality of Brussels for the first time.[1][5]

Map showing the route of the 2004 edition of Paris-Brussels.

Race length

Before 1926, the race was always over 400 km, with the longest versions being 440 km in 1913 and 1914. When the race returned after a break for the First World War in 1919 the race length was 417 km but this has reduced over the years with the 2010 edition being over a distance of 218 km, although as recently as 1987 the distance was 309 km when Wim Arras triumphed. The fastest edition of the race was 1975 when a tailwind helped Freddy Maertens finish with an average speed of 46.11 km/h.

Route

The race starts at Soissons, in Picardy, 85 km north-east of Paris, although prior to 1996 the race started in Noyon and during the 1980s in Senlis. The race is level for much of its route and quite often there is a headwind against the riders. The last 25 km of the race are characterised by a series of cobbled climbs such as the Alsemberg, Mont Saint Roch and the Keperenberg and it is on these climbs that the winning break is often made. The race ended for many years in the Anderlecht district of Brussels outside the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in the Place de Linde. However the 2005 edition saw a new finishing line at the Atomium north of the centre of Brussels.

The quality of field has suffered since the Vuelta a España moved to September in 1995, many sprinter-roadmen preferring the Spanish Tour.

Change to Brussels Classic

In June 2013 it was announced that the race would be renamed the Brussels classic and would take place entirely within Belgium. Starting at the Cinquantenaire, the race now takes in 92 km within Walloon Brabant, 86 km in Flemish Brabant, and 23 km in the Brussels-Capital Region, for a total distance of 201 km. The race will take in eleven climbs including the double ascent of Vossemberg (twice), Smeysberg (twice)and the Langestraat (three times).[6]

Results

Rider Team
1893 Belgium Henry, AndreAndré Henry (BEL)
1894
1905
No race
1906 France Dupont, AlbertAlbert Dupont (FRA)
1907 France Garrigou, GustaveGustave Garrigou (FRA) Peugeot-Wolber
1908 France Petit-Breton, LucienLucien Petit-Breton (FRA) Peugeot-Wolber
1909 Luxembourg Faber, FrancoisFrançois Faber (LUX) Alcyon-Dunlop
1910 France Brocco, MauriceMaurice Brocco (FRA) Legnano
1911 France Lapize, OctaveOctave Lapize (FRA) La Française-Diamant
1912 France Lapize, OctaveOctave Lapize (FRA) La Française-Diamant
1913 France Lapize, OctaveOctave Lapize (FRA) La Française-Diamant
1914 Belgium Mottiat, LouisLouis Mottiat (BEL) Alcyon-Soly
1915
1918
No race
1919 Belgium Michiels, AlexisAlexis Michiels (BEL) La Sportive
1920 France Pelissier, HenriHenri Pélissier (FRA) La Sportive
1921 France Reboul, RobertRobert Reboul (FRA) individual
1922 Belgium Sellier, FelixFélix Sellier (BEL) Alcyon-Dunlop
1923 Belgium Sellier, FelixFélix Sellier (BEL) Alcyon-Dunlop
1924 Belgium Sellier, FelixFélix Sellier (BEL) Alcyon-Dunlop
1925 Belgium Debaets, GerardGerard Debaets (BEL) individual
1926 Belgium Verschueren, DenisDenis Verschueren (BEL) Ravat-Wonder-Dunlop
1927 Luxembourg Frantz, NicolasNicolas Frantz (LUX) Alcyon-Dunlop
1928 Belgium Ronsse, GeorgesGeorges Ronsse (BEL) Automoto
1929 Belgium Verhaegen, PePé Verhaegen (BEL) J.B. Louvet-Hutchinson
1930 Belgium Mottard, ErnestErnest Mottard (BEL) Cycles Bovy
1931 Belgium Aerts, JeanJean Aerts (BEL) Alcyon-Dunlop
1932 Belgium Vervaecke, JulianJulian Vervaecke (BEL) Labor
1933 France Barthelemy, AlbertAlbert Barthelèmy (FRA) F. Pélissier-Mercier-Hutchinson
1934 Belgium Bonduel, FransFrans Bonduel (BEL) Dilecta-Wolber
1935 Belgium Caluwe, Edgard DeEdgard de Caluwé (BEL) Dilecta-Wolber
1936 Belgium Meulenberg, EloiEloi Meulenberg (BEL) Alcyon-Dunlop
1937 Belgium Beckaert, AlbertAlbert Beckaert (BEL) Alcyon-Dunlop
1938 Belgium Kint, MarcelMarcel Kint (BEL) Mercier-Hutchinson
1939 Belgium Bonduel, FransFrans Bonduel (BEL) Dilecta-Wolber
1940
1945
No race
1946 Belgium Schotte, BriekBriek Schotte (BEL) Alcyon-Dunlop
1947 Belgium Sterckx, ErnestErnest Sterckx (BEL) Alcyon-Dunlop
1948 Belgium Poels, LodeLode Poels (BEL) Garin-Wolber
1949 France Diot, MauriceMaurice Diot (FRA) Mercier-A. Magne
1950 Belgium Steenbergen, Rik VanRik Van Steenbergen (BEL) Mercier-Hutchinson
1951 France Guéguen, JeanJean Guéguen (FRA) Mercier-Hutchinson
1952 Belgium Schotte, BriekBriek Schotte (BEL) Alcyon-Dunlop
1953 Italy Petrucci, LorettoLoretto Petrucci (ITA) Bianchi-Pirelli
1954 Belgium Hendrickx, MarcelMarcel Hendrickx (BEL) Peugeot-Dunlop
1955 Belgium Hendrickx, MarcelMarcel Hendrickx (BEL) Elvé-Peugeot
1956 Belgium Looy, Rik VanRik Van Looy (BEL) Faema-Van Hauwaert
1957 Belgium Daele, Leon VanLéon Van Daele (BEL) Faema-Guerra
1958 Belgium Looy, Rik VanRik Van Looy (BEL) Faema-Guerra
1959 Belgium Schoubben, FransFrans Schoubben (BEL) Peugeot-BP-Dunlop
1960 France Everaert, PierrePierre Everaert (FRA) Rapha-Gitane-Dunlop
1961 Belgium Cerami, PinoPino Cerami (BEL) Peugeot-BP-Dunlop
1962 Belgium Wouters, JozefJozef Wouters (BEL) Solo-Van Steenbergen
1963 France Stablinski, JeanJean Stablinski (FRA) Saint-Raphaël-Gitane
1964 Belgium Coningsloo, Georges VanGeorges Van Coningsloo (BEL) Peugeot-BP-Englebert
1965 Belgium Sels, EdwardEdward Sels (BEL) Solo-Superia
1966 Italy Gimondi, FeliceFelice Gimondi (ITA) Salvarani
1967
1972
No race
1973 Belgium Merckx, EddyEddy Merckx (BEL) Molteni
1974 Belgium Demeyer, MarcMarc Demeyer (BEL) Carpenter-Flandria
1975 Belgium Maertens, FreddyFreddy Maertens (BEL) Carpenter-Flandria
1976 Italy Gimondi, FeliceFelice Gimondi (ITA) Bianchi-Campagnolo
1977 Belgium Peeters, LudoLudo Peeters (BEL) Ijsboerke-Colnago
1978 Netherlands Raas, JanJan Raas (NED) TI-Raleigh
1979 Belgium Peeters, LudoLudo Peeters (BEL) Ijsboerke-Warncke Eis
1980 Italy Gavazzi, PierinoPierino Gavazzi (ITA) Magniflex-Olmo
1981 Belgium De Vlaeminck, RogerRoger De Vlaeminck (BEL) Daf Trucks-Côte d'Or
1982 Netherlands Hanegraaf, JacquesJacques Hanegraaf (NED) TI-Raleigh
1983 Sweden Prim, TommyTommy Prim (SWE) Bianchi-Piaggio
1984 Belgium Vanderaerden, EricEric Vanderaerden (BEL) Panasonic
1985 Netherlands Poel, Adri van derAdri van der Poel (NED) Kwantum–Decosol–Yoko
1986 Italy Bontempi, GuidoGuido Bontempi (ITA) Carrera–Inoxpran
1987 Belgium Arras, WimWim Arras (BEL) PDM-Ultima-Concorde
1988 Germany Golz, RolfRolf Gölz (GER) Superconfex–Yoko–Opel–Colnago
1989 Netherlands Nijdam, JelleJelle Nijdam (NED) Superconfex–Yoko–Opel–Colnago
1990 Italy Ballerini, FrancoFranco Ballerini (ITA) Del Tongo-Rex
1991 Denmark Holm, BrianBrian Holm (DNK) Histor-Sigma
1992 Denmark Sorensen, RolfRolf Sørensen (DNK) Ariostea
1993 France Moreau, FrancisFrancis Moreau (FRA) GAN
1994 Denmark Sorensen, RolfRolf Sørensen (DNK) GB–MG Maglificio
1995 Belgium Vandenbroucke, FrankFrank Vandenbroucke (BEL) Mapei–GB–Latexco
1996 Italy Tafi, AndreaAndrea Tafi (ITA) Mapei–GB
1997 Italy Bertolini, AlessandroAlessandro Bertolini (ITA) MG Maglificio–Technogym
1998 Italy Zanini, StefanoStefano Zanini (ITA) Mapei–Bricobi
1999 Latvia Vainsteins, RomansRomāns Vainšteins (LVA) Vini Caldirola
2000 Netherlands Heeswijk, Max vanMax van Heeswijk (NED) Mapei–Quick-Step
2001 France Magnien, EmmanuelEmmanuel Magnien (FRA) Française des Jeux
2002 Australia Macewen, RobbieRobbie McEwen (AUS) Lotto–Adecco
2003 Luxembourg Kirchen, KimKim Kirchen (LUX) Fassa Bortolo
2004 Belgium Nuyens, NickNick Nuyens (BEL) Quick-Step–Davitamon
2005 Australia Macewen, RobbieRobbie McEwen (AUS) Davitamon–Lotto
2006 Australia Macewen, RobbieRobbie McEwen (AUS) Davitamon–Lotto
2007 Australia Macewen, RobbieRobbie McEwen (AUS) Predictor–Lotto
2008 Australia Macewen, RobbieRobbie McEwen (AUS) Silence–Lotto
2009 Australia Goss, MatthewMatthew Goss (AUS) Team Saxo Bank
2010 Spain Ventoso, FranciscoFrancisco Ventoso (ESP) Carmiooro NGC
2011 Russia Galimzyanov, DenisDenis Galimzyanov (RUS) Team Katusha
2012 Belgium Boonen, TomTom Boonen (BEL) Omega Pharma–Quick-Step
2013 Germany Greipel, AndréAndré Greipel (GER) Lotto–Belisol
2014 Germany Greipel, AndréAndré Greipel (GER) Lotto–Belisol
2015 Netherlands Groenewegen, DylanDylan Groenewegen (NED) Team Roompot

Winners by nationality

# of Victories Country
47  Belgium
14  France
9  Italy
6  Australia
6  Netherlands
4  Denmark
3  Luxembourg
3  Germany
1  Latvia
1  Spain
1  Sweden
1  Russia

[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "European Cycling: The 20 Greatest Races", Noel Henderson, ISBN 0-941950-20-4, Pages 104 to 107, Gives history of race and details of memorable races.
  2. Cyclingnews.com. Paris-Brussels maintains name.
  3. "Mr. Tom - The True Story Of Tom Simpson", Chris Sidwell, ISBN 1-874739-14-5, Page 139, Gives details of 1963 race.
  4. "Watching The Wheels Go Round", John Wilcockson, ISBN 0-09-145370-4, Page 96, Gives details of 1966 race.
  5. 1 2 Cyclingarchives.com. Gives some history of race and yearly winners.
  6. http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/952/Wielrennen/article/detail/1651487/2013/06/13/Parijs-Brussel-heet-voortaan-Brussels-Cycling-Classic.dhtml
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