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By Barry Boyce,
CyclingRevealed Historian
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Belgian Takes Back Flanders
Three time defending champion did not return to defend his Flanders title in 1953. After two years of brutally cold and windy condition the Italian “Lion of Flanders” declared “it (Flanders) was too brutal a test…”
Young French superstar Louison Bobet used a Magni tactic and attacked over the Muur de Geraardsbergen. The move work perfectly as Bobet opened a substantial lead. Bobet's untimely puncture 8 km from the finish allowed Roger Decock (Bel), Briek Schotte (Bel) and Loretto Petrucci to regain the front of the race.
Belgians Schotte and Decock joined forces to outsmart the Italian Petrucci. Roger Decock won the sprint to claim the 1952 Tour of Flanders.
| Flanders April 6, 1952 |
| 258 Km, Gent to Wetteren |
1.
Roger DECOCK (Bel) 7h27'00" |
2.
Loretto Petrucci (Ita)
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3.
Briek Schotte (Bel)
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Starters: 210 |
| Finishers: 43 |
Average Speed: 34.632 km/h |
RVV 1951
RVV 1953
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36th Ronde van Vlaanderen 1952 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium) 
