Chairman Constant Verhaeghen, secretary Marc Van Cauwenberghe, and their team had created a very challenging course and a unique uphill finish. We also experienced alternating rain showers and strong gusts of wind, which certainly didn’t make the race any easier!
“To be blown off the wheels” is a saying invented by the riders. That this isn’t just a metaphor but actually exists is demonstrated vividly and convincingly by almost half of the 63 participants.
Halfweg de in de streek steeds populaire wedstrijd had sportafgevaardigde Rene Leutenez reeds 30 rugnummers op zijn notaboekje staan. Allemaal renners die inmiddels uit de kopgroep waren weggevallen. Eenvoudig gelost. Letterlijk uit de wielen gewaaid.
The only attack during the first 85 km had been by the tough Dutchman Gerrit Dewit. The latter, as we saw in Paris-Roubaix, can ride a decent distance. Another Dutchman, Andre Van Aert, had quickly foiled Dewit’s attempt to breakaway, who, incidentally, had been wise enough not to press for long.
The same Dewit also played a prominent role when Schotje Kerckhove and Romain Van Wijnsberghe launched the decisive offensive right at the start of the second half. He made the mistake of charging alone at the two attackers. He succeeded, but his lackluster effort ultimately cost him dearly.
The twenty-man breakaway that formed between km 85 and 155 from a sharp attack by Norbert Kerckhove, supported by Romain Van Wijnsberghe and the gifted Dutch youngster Gerrit Dewit, included all the favorites. It could therefore have been a clean finish. And it was, thanks to Robert Demiddeleir.
Regional riders Arthur Decabooter and Henri Dewolf, coincidentally teammates, were both equally eager for victory. But they faced tough competition in Kerckhove, Noyelle, Van Daele, Wim Van Est, Coreelman, and E. Lambrecht, all of whom were defending the same yellow colors.
Robert Demiddeleir, who took second place last Sunday in Oedelem, which indicates that he is back on track, remembered the story of two fighting dogs and a third that runs away with the bone.
He remembered something else, too. Namely, that the previous year in Nokere, after a stage full of setbacks, he’d received a nice consolation prize from the organizers, and that he’d promised them he’d come back in 1964 and try to win.
The grateful Oordegem native kept his promise. He duly broke away after 126 km. He easily took 400 meters. Then it was a matter of maintaining his lead for 42 km, and that was a devilishly difficult task. Because, as you can imagine, the reaction wasn’t long in coming.
Demiddeleir kon men niet meer grijpen. Tijdens het laatste uur fietste hij zo machtig als twee jaar geleden in de Gentse openingsrit. Een prachtig overwinning van een goed renner.
Result :
1. Robert De Middeleir
2. Leon Van Daele
3. André Noyelle
