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Scheldeprijs

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The Grote Scheldeprijs is a Belgian semi classic cycling race which starts in the city of Antwerp and finishes in the town of Schoten. The event, which is ranked at 1.HC on the UCI Continental calendar, is traditionally seen as a race for the sprinters, being held on flat roads over a distance of roughly 200 kilometres. The race consists of one big circuit of 155 kilometres which goes into the countryside of Antwerp province followed by three finishing circuits of 15 kilometres based on the finishing town of Schoten, the route includes seven tough cobbled sections varying in length between 1300 metres and 3000 metres. The race takes place in mid April on the Wednesday following the cobble classic Paris-Roubaix.

The race has a neuteralised start on the banks of the River Schelde in the centre of Antwerp at the Grote Markt outside the City Hall, however, racing does not begin until the town of Schoten is reached a few kilometres to the north east and the official starting signal is given. The finish of the race is outside Schoten town hall.

The first Scheldeprijs was organised by the Antwerp branch of the Belgium Cycling Society (BWB) on July 8 1907 making it the oldest cycle race in Flanders. The early years of the race saw it starting and finishing in Antwerp, with the conclusion of the event taking place at the now demolished Zurenborg velodrome. Later on the start of the race was moved to Merksem and then to Deurne, which are both satellite towns of Antwerp, however in 1996 the race start was moved back to the centre of Antwerp. That first edition of the race in 1907 was won by the Frenchman Maurice Leturgie, however it would be another 46 years before another non Belgian (Dutchman Hans Dekkers in 1953) triumphed in the race as home riders dominated the event. Since 1978 the nationality of the race winner has become more diversified.

2005 saw the 93rd edition of the race since 1907 and only the first and second World Wars have interrupted the event. The Scheldeprijs will celebrate it’s 100th anniversary in 2007 and the race organisers are already planning special events to celebrate. Some of the great names of cycling have triumphed in the race over it’s long history, Eddy Merckx, Rik Van Looy, Mario Cipollini, Freddy Maertens, Roger De Vlaeminck, Erik Zabel, Briek Schotte, Stan Ockers and Georges Ronsse have all been successful, however, Belgian Piet Oellibrandt, holds the record for the most wins in the race, taking three victories in the early 1960s. Belgian cycling legend Johan Museeuw, who never actually won the Scheldeprijs but finished second twice in 1992 and 1997 chose the 2004 event as the final race in an illustrious career, saying, “I could have retired after Paris-Roubaix but I felt it important that my last race should be in Belgium, the Scheldeprijs is a great race and I love especially the start in Antwerp market place.”

Grote Scheldeprijs Winners

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