Superior Sprinter Grabs a Narrow Win
Aggressive racing from the start of the 1972 Ronde van Vlaanderen feature a high average speed. Eddy Merckx drove the pace with 1970 Ronde champion Eric Leman in every move. The cold temperature and miserably wet weather began to take its toll as the kilometers clicked down.
A late attack by Merckx and Leman opened a solid gap. Italian Felice Gimondi towed the remainder of the peloton back to the duo. The final 7 rider selection formed with 10 kms to the finish.
Leman (C) wins, Dierickx (R) 2nd, Verbeeck (L) 3rd
From the group superior sprinter Eric Leman grabbed a narrow win from Belgian Andre Dierickx. The instigator of the final move Eddy Merckx cruised to the finish in 7th place.
| Flanders April 9, 1972 |
| 250 Km, Gent to Merelbeke |
1.
Eric LEMAN (Bel) 6h04'30" |
2. Andre Dierickx (Bel) |
3.
Frans Verbeeck (Bel) |
Starters: 171 |
| Finishers: 80 |
Average Speed: 41.152 km/h |
RVV 1971
RVV 1973
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56th Ronde van Vlaanderen 1972 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium) 
