New Comer Gains a Great Victory
A bright, sunny day in Flanders greeted the 212 rider field for the 1982 Ronde Van Vlaanderen.
The lead group entered Geraardsbergen together. Race favorite and World Champion Freddy Maertens skipped a gear on the Muur de Grammont and lost contact with the leaders. Young Belgian Rene Martens attacked up the Muur and opened a one minute gap.
Eddy Planckaert escaped over the Bosberg and began a late chase of Martens. Under the 1 km flag Martens was still clear and would not be caught. Rene Martens crossed the finish line solo and collected the biggest victory of his career.
Flanders April 4, 1982 |
267 Km, St. Niklaas to Meerbeke/Ninove |
1.
Rene MARTENS (Bel) 6h35'40" |
2. Eddy Planckaert (Bel) + 21" |
3. Rudy Pevenage (Bel) |
Starters: 212 |
Finishers: 51 |
Average Speed: 40.566 km/h |
RVV 1981
RVV 1983
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