Happy birthday to Rik Van Steenbergen, who was born on this day in 1924, and died on May 15, 2003.
The Belgian rider is best remembered as a consistent performer in both Grand Tour events, as well as one-day classics.
His achievements include three World Championship Road Race titles, two Paris-Roubaix Classic victories, and a host of wins in the one-day classics.
Indeed, Van Steenburgen was second in the 1951 Giro d’Italia behind Fiorenzo Magni of Italy, he also won the Points Jersey in the 1956 Vuelta a Espana.
In addition, Van Steenbergen won the 1949 World Championship Road Race in front of Ferdi Kubler of Switzerland and Fausto Coppi of Italy, and later the 1956 World Championship Road Race in front of Rik Van Looy of Belgium and Gerrit Schulte of Holland and 1957 World Championship Road Race in front of Louison Bobet of France and Andre Darrigade of France.
Additionally, Van Steenbergen won the 1948 Paris-Roubaix Classic in front of Emile Idee of France and Georges Claes of Belgium, and Paris-Roubaix again in 1952 Paris-Roubaix Classic in front of Fausto Coppi of Italy and Andre Mahe of France.
Lastly, Van Steenbergen won the Milan-San Remo Classic in 1954, the Tour of Flanders Classic in 1944 and 1946 and the Fleche Wallone Classic in 1949 and 1958.
Gelukkige verjaardag Rik !
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