| 'King of the Classics' Wins His 1st Ronde
Belgian superstar Rik Van Looy would be the first rider to win ALL of cycling's 5 Monuments. He started his record setting quest with the victory at the 1958 Milan-San Remo, a very fit Van Looy added his first Ronde van Vlaanderen victory in 1959.
Van Looy attacked to win the lucrative prize at the top of the Muur de Geraardsbergen. Arch-rival Fred De Bruyne caught his nemesis Van Looy and the duo broke away. Coming into the out-skirts of Wetteren a chase group of 20 riders caught the pair.
Van Looy’s teammates attacked the finial circuit. An attentive Van Looy rode the wheels and launched the winning sprint. Rik Van Looy had his second victory in one of Cycling's 5 Monuments.
SPECIAL NOTE: Great Flandrian hero Albriek 'Briek' Schotte race his 20th consecutive Tour of Flanders (1940-1959). He reached the podium 8 times (1st twice, 2nd twice and 3rd four times).
| Flanders March 30, 1959 |
| 242 Km, Gent to Wetteren |
1.
Rik VAN LOOY (Bel) 6h14'00" |
2.
Frans Schoubben (Bel) +2" |
3.
Gilbert Desmet 1 (Bel) +10" |
Starters: 143 |
| Finishers: 58 |
Average Speed: 36.820 km/h |
RVV 1958
RVV 1960
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43rd Ronde van Vlaanderen 1959 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium) 
