Belgium is mourning the passing of Rik Van Looy, nicknamed the ‘King of the Classics’, who died this week aged 90 after a short illness. Reports from Het Nieuwsblad confirmed that Van Looy, who was the oldest living cycling world champion, passed away just days before his 91st birthday. His death brings to an end a life and career that shaped the sport of cycling during its golden age.
Rik Van Looy turned professional in 1953 with Gitane-Hutchinson, taking his first victory that same year at Heist-op-den-Berg, aged just 19. Over the next two decades, he would dominate the Classics and become the first rider to win all five Monuments: Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and the Tour of Lombardy. His ability to conquer every type of one-day race earned him his legendary nickname.
A career of unprecedented victories
Van Looy’s rise to cycling immortality began in 1956 with major wins at Gent-Wevelgem and Paris-Brussels. However, it was his victory at Milan-San Remo in 1958 that truly announced his arrival on the global stage. Over the following years, he cemented his dominance with landmark victories, including the Tour of Flanders and Il Lombardia in 1959.
The peak of his career came in 1961, when Van Looy completed his Monuments collection by winning Paris-Roubaix and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. He topped off that remarkable season with a second World Championship title, becoming one of cycling’s most decorated riders.
His achievements weren’t limited to one-day races. Van Looy was a force to be reckoned with in stage racing as well, winning 18 stages in the Vuelta a España, 12 in the Giro d’Italia, and seven in the Tour de France. His three victories at Paris-Roubaix place him joint-second in the all-time wins list for the race, alongside Roger De Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen.
Rivalries and tributes
Van Looy’s dominance in the late 1950s and early 1960s paved the way for one of cycling’s greatest rivalries as Eddy Merckx began his ascent. Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, Merckx paid tribute to Van Looy, recalling the fierce competition they shared. “Rik’s passing is very sad,” said Merckx. “He was one of the best Belgian riders ever. If you had to ride against Rik… it was not against just anyone. His willpower and his will to win are things that will always stay with me.”
Despite their rivalry, Van Looy and Merckx briefly rode together as teammates in 1965. Merckx recently recovered from a cycling accident, and his reflections on Van Looy highlight the deep respect the two champions shared.
The emperor’s enduring legacy
Van Looy, known as the ‘Emperor of Herentals’, earned his place in history not just through his victories but also as a national hero in Belgium. He led the Flandria ‘Red Guard’, a team that revolutionised cycling with its powerful leadout train and team tactics.
Beyond his achievements on the bike, Van Looy captivated the public with his charisma and remained a beloved figure in Belgian culture. In one of his final interviews with Sporza, he expressed pride in his enduring connection with fans: “When I go shopping, people still say: ‘Hello, Rik!’ I think that’s great.”
Van Looy’s wife, Nini, passed away in 2021 at the age of 88, and their family has requested a private farewell for the legendary rider.
