{"id":11108,"title":"Albert Vandevoorde","description":"A professional cyclist, a steeplejack, a man who loved life and cycling. The incredible story of Belgian Albert Vandevoorde as told by Remi Gruwez.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: COBBLES & CLASSICS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

A professional cyclist, a steeplejack, and a man who loved life and cycling. The incredible story of Belgian Albert Vandevoorde as told by Remi Gruwez.\"\"Albert stands in front of a print of himself and Andr\u00e9 Noyelle, Ieper 2015. <\/em><\/strong>Image: Remi Gruwez<\/em><\/p>

Also available in the original Vlaams version<\/a>.<\/p>

August 2015, West-Vlaanderen<\/h3>

A gentle breeze barely stirs the tranquil fields on this warm afternoon. The cattle lie motionless in their pasture. The Earth seems still. Suddenly there\u2019s a flash of colour as three cyclists speed past. Their style is graceful and they pedal with intent. They are way behind the race leaders and will be withdrawn from the race on the next lap.<\/p>

The officials had flagged them down the lap before. But why stop when you\u2019re still having fun?<\/p>

It's no disgrace to be caught and dropped when those you are racing are fifty years younger. The three finally sprint for victory in their own private race. To compete when you've passed your 80th birthday is a victory in itself.<\/p>

My son and I retire to the race HQ at the Caf\u00e9 De Meiboom. One of the three gentlemen racers is the centre of attention and is surrounded by a crowd of friends. In his trademark flat cap, Albert Vandevoorde is clearly enjoying the 'after party'.<\/p>

Seemingly untired by his earlier efforts he\u2019s in high spirits. As we leave, following the prize presentation, my son turns to me and says, \"when you get old Dad, be like Albert\".<\/p>

But who was Albert Vandevoorde? I asked Remi Gruwez, proprietor of the Caf\u00e9 De Meiboom, to tell his friend Albert's story.<\/p>

A star is born<\/h3>

Karel van Wijnendaele, the first organizer of the Tour of Flanders and inventor of the word \u201cFlandrien\u201d wrote his famous cycling book in 1930 \u201cThe head and the legs\u201d. He also used it as a subtitle for his later book \u201cHet Rijk Vlaamsche\u201d (The Cycling Life), published in 1943. His inspiration could easily have been Albert Vandevoorde.<\/p>

In 1930, however, Albert's short legs still stomped against his mother's stomach. He was finally delivered to her joy on May 3rd, 1931. At the time, a youthful cycling god lived in Nieuwkerke, a stone's throw from Albert\u2019s home of Kemmel at the foot of the Kemmelberg. Lucien Storme won Paris - Roubaix in 1938 at the age of 22 and became seven-year-old Albert\u2019s hero.<\/p>

Storme won a stage in the 1939 Tour and collected many top prizes to the great happiness of his young admirer. Albert had no doubt that he would follow Storme\u2019s example and become a professional cyclist.<\/p>

\"\"Still racing over sixty years later <\/em><\/strong>Images: Remi Gruwez and Fabrice Swal<\/em><\/p>

German occupation<\/h3>

Unfortunately, the Germans occupied Belgium in 1940 and racing came to a virtual standstill. Like many riders, Lucien tried to earn money from smuggling. The customs officers were equipped with bikes but they were never a match for the former professionals.<\/p>

Storme had to be careful to evade the Germans too. As a young man, he faced the risk of being sent to a German labour camp. Unfortunately, despite his speed on a bike he was finally caught and sent to a camp in Siegburg. Sadly, when the camp was liberated by the Americans in 1945, Lucien Storme was shot and killed in the confusion.<\/p>

Little monkey<\/h3>

The long war and the occupation were finally over. Albert's hero was gone, but he was more determined than ever to emulate him and honour his memory. As a fourteen-year-old, he was always the smallest participant in the local races but through sheer determination and will he was able to better his elders.<\/p>

Ex-professionals and independent racers from before the war such as D'Alleine, Bril and Vanoplynes found it very annoying when the \u2018little monkey\u2019 made a fool of them. When they asked, with despair would he join the BWB (Belgian Cycling Federation)? Little Albert became a novice (nieuweling) in 1948 progressing to a fancier (liefhebber) in 1950.<\/p>

\"\"Albert points to his place in the sprint, Ieper 2015 <\/em><\/strong>Image: Remi Gruwez<\/em><\/p>

Andr\u00e9 <\/strong>Noyelle<\/h3>

Albert quickly became one of the strongest and smartest riders in his region but found a worthy adversary in Andr\u00e9 Noyelle of Poelkapelle. Noyelle was renowned for his fearsome sprint and more often than not he had the better of poor Albert. Albert could win but usually only in Noyelle\u2019s absence.<\/p>

Politics too presented a hurdle to our hero. The political dynamic of the time meant that each region could only send a single rider to international events. Andr\u00e9 Noyelle became Olympic Cycling Champion in Helsinki winning the road race by a minute from fellow Belgian Robert Grondelaers. With Lucien Victor 4th they also won the gold medal for the team prize.<\/p>

\"nyk8or4f9zhmpf8pcdqlxcaqbjd3xvgmjuri8wz3so6mrlvx.jpg\"<\/u><\/a>The final member of the Belgian team was the Belgian Champion Rik Van Looy who rode flat out for the team on the last lap. Albert\u2019s nemesis Andre also finished second at the World Championships in Luxembourg. Albert was left sitting at home \u2018kicking his heels\u2019 with frustration.<\/p>

Turning professional<\/h3>

Albert was good enough to race for his country but politics prevented it from happening. He realised his only option was to turn professional. In 1955 he rode for the Thompson team and achieved some notable results. This drew the attention of the Elve-Peugeot, Belgian\u2019s strongest professional cycling team that featured Rik van Steenbergen, Stan Ockers, Raymond Impanis and Pino Cerami.<\/p>

Albert, however, found his ambitions were thwarted as he was expected to ride in the service of the senior members of the team. It was not well paid either and Albert had fallen in love. A family needs a good and reliable source of income.<\/p>

\"\"Albert at work creating a gargoyle <\/em><\/strong>Image: Remi Gruwez<\/em><\/p>

Steeplejack<\/h3>

His brother-in-law was a contractor that carried out specialist and well-paid work on churches and monuments.<\/p>

The nimble, intrepid, daredevil installed weathercocks on the rooves of churches. He climbed the tallest roofs and towers without hesitation. Soon he became an artist at carving statues from stone and was able to recreate broken and worn statues so that they were as good as the original. When he started making all kinds of figures such as weathercocks and statues in copper and metal, he became irreplaceable to the company.<\/p>

Second cycling career<\/h3>

The passion for cycling still burnt strongly within Albert. In nearby France, Albert was able to participate in races for \u201call categories\u201d where he enjoyed considerable success. When the BWF was formed as one of the first cycling unions in Belgium, Albert joined De Meiboomspurters (The May Tree Sprinters) of Woesten in 1975. His second cycling career started at the age of 44, without the first-ever really ending. He quickly became a top cyclist again.<\/p>

\u00a0He won countless titles as Belgian national and provincial champion. He achieved success in the IKW (Internationale Kampioenschappen Tijdrijden Woesten), in France, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Spain and Canary Islands. But his main goal each season was the World Championships held in the Austrian town of St. Johann in Tirol.<\/p>

\"3bvuhf1qqdybjetzrlv2u6znricjfgbagaeowuh1sap8wbbm.jpg\"Albert with Johan Museeuw as guests of honour at the opening of the Andr\u00e9 Noyelle road, Ieper 13 March 2015. Remi's daughter Sophie is pictured too. <\/em><\/strong>Image: Remi Gruwez<\/em><\/p>

World Champion<\/h3>

Twice he became World Champion in 1984 and 1988. He achieved at least ten other podium places but he met the second nemesis in Austria. Willi Hochgesch\u00fcrzt, a colossus of a German from Cologne. Hugely strong with a lightning sprint finish.<\/p>

Willi was a man who, without the aftermath of World War II (movement restrictions and bans on participation in sporting and cultural events), could have had an impressive cycling career. Without \u201cDer Willi\u201d Albert would have stood on the top step of the podium at least ten times in St. Johann.<\/p>

Final World Championship<\/h3>

In 2015 at the age of 84, Albert took part in his final World Championship. Even at this ripe age he still pushed as hard as ever on the pedals and achieved success.<\/p>

Who was Albert? A clever, fearless, obsessed athletic cycling champion-artist who is now racing in cycling heaven, because if they don\u2019t have racing bikes there, he will have certainly made one himself.<\/p>

\"\"Albert and his long-term partner Paula Coudhyser, who shared a passion for cycling <\/em><\/strong>Image: Remi Gruwez<\/em><\/p>

\"jiapn5gndwhouxo5jesuvt30hlmo4oi5vhadsnvrnvm6ijxm.jpg\"Remi Gruwez, 14 May 2021.<\/p>

Translated into English by Margot Lemaire with additional text by Tim Costello.<\/p>

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