Overview

• 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.