A Young Van Steenbergen Grabs a Monument
The 28th edition of Tour of Flanders raced 225 km from Gent to Gent (Kuipke Velodrome). 103 riders battled a strong wind off the North Sea during the early part of the race.
A three rider breakaway formed at 75 km to go and pulled away from the peloton. Enjoying a tailwind the breakaway held the lead until 10 km to go when 6 riders joined the group. As the breakaway approached the entrance to the velodrome confusion over directions into the track entrance caused the lead rider to crash. 19 year old Rik Van Steenbergen slipped past the fallen rider and crossed the finish line first. It was the biggest win of his young career.
SPECIAL NOTE: Filming of the Tour of Flanders had been going on for years but in 1944 sound was added to the filming. Fans could enjoy the description of the race at their local movie theater.
| Flanders April 2, 1944 |
| 225 Km, Gent to Gent (Velodrome Kulpke) |
1. Rik VAN STEENBERGEN (Bel) 6h23'00" |
2. Briek Schotte (Bel)
|
3. Jozef Moerenhout (Bel)
|
| Starters: 103 |
| Finishers: 34 |
| Average Speed: 35.091 km/h |
RVV 1943
RVV 1945
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28th Ronde van Vlaanderen 1944 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium) 
