Rik Van Looy obituary
Belgian cyclist and the first to triumph in the five great one-day classics known as the Monuments
Rik Van Looy, who has died aged 90, was the most dominant one-day cycle racer of the 1950s and 60s, nicknamed “the Emperor of Herentals” (after the Belgian city in which he lived) or “the Wheel Breaker”. He ended his 18-year career with a tally of 371 professional road race victories, which remains second only to that of Eddy Merckx. A double world road race champion, he was the first cyclist to triumph in the five great one-day classics known today as the Monuments.
He began racing at 14 and was lapped five times in his first race, but improved rapidly to win the Belgian amateur championship twice; he took a bronze medal in the amateur world championship at Lugano in 1953. He turned professional a week later and won his first two races in the following 48 hours.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
-
Littler thrashes Bunting to set up Van Gerwen final
Teenager Luke Littler thrashes Stephen Bunting 6-1 with a ruthless display to set up a PDC World Championship final against Michael van Gerwen on Friday.BBC News - 3h -
Luke Littler sails into blockbuster world darts final with Michael van Gerwen
MvG thrashes Dobey 6-1; Littler demolishes Bunting 6-1 Teenager finishes with 105 average in brutal display Deep down, we all knew this was going to happen at some point. From the moment Luke ...The Guardian - 3h -
Luke Littler sets up world darts final against Michael van Gerwen – as it happened
The teenage sensation is back in the final after beating Stephen Bunting 6-1, while Van Gerwen saw off Chris Dobey by the same score. First set: Dobey 0-0 Van Gerwen (legs 0-1) Dobey to throw ...The Guardian - 4h -
Should Patriots fire Alex Van Pelt? Why OC decision is complicated
Does Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt deserve to be fired? Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry break down a tough decision for the team.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Liverpool's Salah, TAA, Van Dijk can discuss moves
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are free to discuss moves away from Liverpool ahead of the expiry of their contracts.ESPN - 18h -
Van Orden takes swipe at Roy after Trump backs Johnson in Speaker election
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) went after Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) on the social media platform X Wednesday for his opposition to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) retaking the gavel. Republican ...The Hill - 1d
More from The Guardian
-
Investigators trying to arrest South Korea’s president Yoon reportedly in standoff with security service – latest updates
Anti-corruption officials are executing an arrest warrant against Yoon Suk Yeol over his attempt to impose martial law in December. Investigators arrive at home of South Korean president to ...The Guardian - 41m -
Venezuela announces $100,000 reward for capture of opposition candidate
Edmundo González Urrutia had fled to Spain after Nicolás Maduro declared victory in July elections. Venezuelan authorities have announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture ...The Guardian - 5h -
Recordings by New Orleans attack suspect express extreme religious views
Audio from Shamsud-Din Jabbar contains diatribes against music, drugs, sex and other sensuous pleasures. Nearly a year before he allegedly killed 14 people and injured dozens more by driving a ...The Guardian - 7h -
Grieving killer whale who carried calf’s body spotted again with dead baby
Experts say sighting of orca in Puget Sound with second deceased calf is ‘devastating’ for ailing population. An apparently grieving killer whale who swam more than 1,000 miles pushing the body of ...The Guardian - 5h -
Australia v India: fifth men’s cricket Test, day one – live
Updates from the New Year’s Test at the SCG Virat Kohli caught as Australia strike either side of lunch Any thoughts? Email Angus Under overcast but rain-free skies, huge queues are snaking ...The Guardian - 26m
More in World
-
Australia v India: fifth men’s cricket Test, day one – live
Updates from the New Year’s Test at the SCG Virat Kohli caught as Australia strike either side of lunch Any thoughts? Email Angus Under overcast but rain-free skies, huge queues are snaking ...The Guardian - 26m -
Missing surfer Lance Appleby identified as shark attack victim off South Australia’s west coast
Witnesses say 28-year-old from Port Lincoln was attacked just after 7pm on Thursday while surfing south of Streaky bay on the Eyre peninsula. Get our breaking news email , free app or daily ...The Guardian - 34m -
Investigators trying to arrest South Korea’s president Yoon reportedly in standoff with security service – latest updates
Anti-corruption officials are executing an arrest warrant against Yoon Suk Yeol over his attempt to impose martial law in December. Investigators arrive at home of South Korean president to ...The Guardian - 41m -
India’s next digital payments boom
Also in this newsletter: Is India’s stock market run waning and some New Year’s Eve party statsFinancial Times - 2h -
Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy hopes Trump’s ‘unpredictability’ can end war with Russia
Ukrainian leader has sought to build bridges with Trump amid fears the president-elect could slow vital military aid once in office. What we know on day 1,045. See all our Ukraine coverage ...The Guardian - 2h