Huge Crowds from Start to Finish
The popularity of the race in Flanders was booming. Huge crowds came to watch the race from start to finish. The Belgian contingent did not disappoint.
Defending champion Rik Van Looy's teammate blew the race apart on the climb of the famed Oude Kwaremont. An elite group formed with Tom Simpson and Raymond Poulidor leading the way.
Van Looy and Poulidor opened a small gap over the Kruisberg. The chasing group jumped hard to close the gap headed onto the final lap of Gentbrugge.
Four riders caught the two leaders and entered the final kilometer 30 seconds ahead. Big German Rudi Altig crashed when Noel Fore attacked and surprised everyone. Frans Melckenbeeck blew passed Simpson and closed quickly at the finish line but the Belgian Noel Fore held on to win the 1963 Tour of Flanders.
SPECIAL NOTE: Noel Fore's victory was completed in a record average speed of 40.680 km/h.
*
| Flanders March 31, 1963 |
| 249 Km, Gent to Gentbrugge |
1.
Noel FORE (Bel) 6h08'42" |
2.
Frans Melckenbeeck (Bel)
|
3.
Tom Simpson (GBr)
|
Starters: 133 |
| Finishers: 47 |
Average Speed: 40.680 km/h * Record Ave. Speed |
RVV 1962
RVV 1964
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47th Ronde van Vlaanderen 1963 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium) 
