Aggressive Racing, but Grysolle Sneaks Away Late
The 29th edition of the Tour of Flanders was held June 10, 1945.
This edition was the first held after the end of World War 2 (ended April 1945). Belgium still had significant infrastructure damage and brutal road conditions, but the race had 91 riders on the start list.
SPECIAL NOTE: The 1945 race returned the finish line to the City of Wetteren.
Aggressive racing, through cobbled sections and three brutal climbs, thinned the peloton to 23 riders.
The lead group entered Wetteren for the finish. From this select group, wily veteran Sylvain Grysolle (Individual) launched a decisive attack and slipped away from the breakaway group.
He rode solo for the final kms to gain a 15 second victory. Albert Sercu (Dilecta) and Jef Moerenhout (Dilecta) finished second and third respectively.
The Tour of Flanders championship in 1945 was the biggest victory of Grysolle's career.
Flanders June 10, 1945 |
222 Km, Gent to Wetteren |
1.
Sylvain GRYSOLLE (Bel) 6h21'06" |
2.
Albert Sercu (Bel) +15" |
3. Jozef Moerenhout (Bel) |
Starters: 91 Finishers: 31Average Speed: 34.961 km/h |
|
RVV 1944 RVV 1946
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