71st Ronde van Vlaanderen 1987 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium)

Disaster on the Koppenberg

After an early breakaway Denmark’s Jesper Skibby held the lead for 168 kms until disaster struck on the climb of the Koppenberg. Skibby and breakaway partner Ludo Schurgers had a maximum lead of 16 minutes as the first of the cobbled bergs were about to begin. With the peloton quickly closing the breakaway duo entered Oudenaarde with a 6 minute lead.  Tired from the long effort Skibby fell on the steep 18% Koppenberg climb. In a rush the following race official’s car tried to pass the fallen rider and ran over Skibby’s bike. His bike was shattered by the incident and Skibby did not finish the race.

The Koppenberg incident caused major confusion and allowed a solid breakaway group formed. Over the climb of the Taaienberg Eric Vanderaerden, Sean Kelly, defending champion Adri Van der Poel, Marc Sergeant, Wilifred Peeters, Claude Criquelion, Steve Bauer and Steven Rooks were all present in the group.

Claude Criquelion jumped away on the Muur de Garmont but was caught quickly on the decent. The aggressive Belgian launched another attack, this one decisive, over the top of the Bosberg with 16kms to go.  No one had the energy to answer the move and Criquelion crossed the finish line with a 1 minute lead. The Belgian claimed the prestigious Ronde victory.

RVV 1986

RVV 1988

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