Belgian Cycling Icon Rik Van Looy Dies at 90

Van Looy, known as the 'Emperor of Herentals,' was the first to win all five cycling monument races and claimed two world championships.

Rik Van Looy, one of Belgium's greatest cyclists, passed away at the age of 90, as confirmed by the Belgian cycling federation.
He earned the title 'Emperor of Herentals' and was considered Belgium's top cyclist before the rise of Eddy Merckx.
Van Looy was the first cyclist to win all five monument classics: Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and Tour of Lombardy.
His career highlights include two world road race championships in 1960 and 1961 and a total of 371 professional victories.
Despite winning 39 Grand Tour stages, Van Looy never secured an overall title but remains celebrated for his dominance in one-day races.