| A Flemish Climber’s Victory
The 29th edition of Liege-Bastogne-Liege was held on May 14, 1939.
War in Europe seemed certain as riders lined up for the 1939 Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
SPECIAL NOTE: Two Months after the L-B-L finished World War 2 broke out in Eastern Europe. L-B-L was suspended during the early 1940's. It returned briefly in 1943 before being suspended again in 1944. L-B-L's return full time to the racing calendar in 1945.
Camille Beeckman (Helyett), Albert Ritserveldt (De Dion), Cyriel Van Overberghe (F. Pelissier-Mercier), and Edward Vissers (Alcyon) escaped the peloton in the closing kms.
Albert Ritserveldt attacked on the final climb and rode away solo from the breakaway group. Ritserveldt celebrated down the final straight in Liege and claimed the prestigious victory in grand style.
SPECIAL NOTE: Albert Ritserveldt, a talented Flemish climber, like so many riders of the time, was forced to focus his racing on regional Belgian events during World War 2. After the war, Ritserveldt never returned to his full potential. Without the interruption of war, his record would undoubtedly have been much more impressive.
L-B-L May 14, 1939 |
211 Km, Liege-Bastogne-Liege
|
1.
Albert RITSERVELDT (Bel) 5h39'00" |
2.
Cyrille Van Overberghe (Bel) +34" |
3.
Edward Vissers (Bel) +59" |
Starters: 83 / Finishers: 50  Ave Speed: 37.345 km/h |
|
L-B-L 1943
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