‘The Emperor of Herentals is no more’: with these words the Tour de France paid tribute to Rik Van Looy, who died on Wednesday, two days before he would have turned 91.
The Belgian cycling legend won 371 professional victories during his lengthy career.
The first winner of the 5 Monuments, Van Looy was a two-time world champion, seven-time Tour de France stage winner and green jersey winner in 1963.
Reactions have been pouring in to salute the memory of one of the greatest cyclists in history.
Van Looy was the first rider to win the 5 Monuments of cycling: Milan-San Remo (in 1958), Tour of Flanders (1959), Tour of Lombardy (1959), Paris-Roubaix (1961) and Liège-Bastogne-Liège (1961). That feat was subsequently achieved only by his compatriots Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck.
In total, Rik Van Looy won eight times in these prestigious Classics, including three times on the Pavés du Nord.
"He won the Enfer du Nord three times, including twice with the rainbow jersey on his shoulders in 1961, 1962 and 1965. A tribute to Rik Van Looy, the Emperor of Herentals!" the Paris-Roubaix's organisers recalled.
The Antwerp-born rider also won the Ghent-Wevelgem (1956, 1957 and 1962), the Flèche Wallonne (1968) and Paris-Tours (1959 and 1967).
"We are deeply saddened by the death of Rik Van Looy, the ‘Emperor of Herentals,’ A true cycling legend whose incredible legacy will continue to inspire generations," commented Flanders Classic, organiser of numerous Flemish races.
