Fons De Wolf
Encyclopedia
Alfons De Wolf (born 22 June 1956 in Willebroek
) is a retired Belgian
road race cyclist
, a professional from 1979 to 1990. He represented his country at the 1976 Summer Olympics
in Montreal, Canada.
He was forecast, with Daniel Willems
, to be the successor to Eddy Merckx
. De Wolf seemed to fulfill that promise by winning the 1980 Giro di Lombardia and the 1981 Milan – San Remo, the last and first classic of the season . He almost won the 1982 Liège–Bastogne–Liège, beaten by Italian Silvano Contini
in the final sprint.
After winning a stage in the 1984 Tour de France
, his career faded. He helped his teammate Eddy Planckaert
win the green jersey
in the 1988 Tour de France
. He ended his career in 1990.
He became a funeral director in his native Breendonk
in the south of Antwerp (province)
.
Although he won the Omloop Het Volk two times, De Wolf was an atypical Flemish cyclist, preferring Italian races such as Milan – San Remo to Paris–Roubaix, Gent–Wevelgem and the Ronde van Vlaanderen. He was at ease in hilly races, though he wasn't an impressive climber.
He complained that he was seen as a 'new Eddy Merckx', that the public had expected too much.
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1989
Willebroek
Willebroek is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the towns of Blaasveld, Heindonk, Tisselt, Klein Willebroek and Willebroek proper. On January 1, 2006 Willebroek had a total population of 23,044...
) is a retired Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
road race cyclist
Bicycle racing
Bicycle racing is a competition sport in which various types of bicycles are used. There are several categories of bicycle racing including road bicycle racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX, bike trials, and cycle speedway. Bicycle racing is recognised as an Olympic sport...
, a professional from 1979 to 1990. He represented his country at the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
in Montreal, Canada.
He was forecast, with Daniel Willems
Daniel Willems
Daniel Willems is a Belgian former road bicycle racer. Health problems ended his career in 1986.- Palmarès :19761977Daniel Willems is a Belgian former road bicycle racer...
, to be the successor to Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx
Edouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all...
. De Wolf seemed to fulfill that promise by winning the 1980 Giro di Lombardia and the 1981 Milan – San Remo, the last and first classic of the season . He almost won the 1982 Liège–Bastogne–Liège, beaten by Italian Silvano Contini
Silvano Contini
Silvano Contini is an Italian former professional road bicycle racer.-Career:His main successes were the Liège–Bastogne–Liège of 1982, and the Grand prix du Midi Libre of 1985. He won Trofeo Baracchi in 1983 with Daniel Gisiger....
in the final sprint.
After winning a stage in the 1984 Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
, his career faded. He helped his teammate Eddy Planckaert
Eddy Planckaert
Eddy Planckaert is a former professional road racing cyclist from Belgium. In 1988, Planckaert enjoyed perhaps his best year by capturing the green jersey at the 1988 Tour de France and winning the Ronde van Vlaanderen...
win the green jersey
Green jersey
The green jersey is a term used in road bicycle racing and Grand Tour stage races in particular. The green jersey is a distinctive racing jersey worn by the leader in a subsidiary competition....
in the 1988 Tour de France
1988 Tour de France
The 1988 Tour de France was the 75th Tour de France, taking place from July 4 to July 24, 1988. It consisted of 22 stages over 3281 km, ridden at an average speed of 38.909 km/h...
. He ended his career in 1990.
He became a funeral director in his native Breendonk
Puurs
Puurs is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. It is located in the Flemish Region. The municipality comprises the towns of Breendonk, Liezele, Kalfort, Ruisbroek and Puurs proper. On January 1, 2006 Puurs had a total population of 16,029...
in the south of Antwerp (province)
Antwerp (province)
Antwerp is the northernmost province both of the Flemish Region, also called Flanders, and of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and the Belgian provinces of Limburg, Flemish Brabant and East Flanders. Its capital is Antwerp which comprises the Port of Antwerp...
.
Although he won the Omloop Het Volk two times, De Wolf was an atypical Flemish cyclist, preferring Italian races such as Milan – San Remo to Paris–Roubaix, Gent–Wevelgem and the Ronde van Vlaanderen. He was at ease in hilly races, though he wasn't an impressive climber.
He complained that he was seen as a 'new Eddy Merckx', that the public had expected too much.
Palmarès
1976- Tour de Namur
1978
- National Amateur Road Championship
1979
- Erembodegem-Terjoden
- Malderen
- Omloop Schelde-Durme
- Sint-Kwintens-Lennik
- Vuelta a España1979 Vuelta a EspañaThe 34th Vuelta a España , a long-distance bicycle stage race and one of the 3 grand tours, was held from April 24 to May 13, 1979. It consisted of 19 stages covering a total of 3,373 km, and was won by Joop Zoetemelk of the Miko-Mercier cycling team...
:- Winner stages 2, 7, 9, 16B and 19
- Winner points classification
- Dilsen
- Sombreffe
- Boom
1980
- Druivenkoers OverijseDruivenkoers OverijseDruivenkoers Overijse is a single-day road bicycle race held annually in August in Overijse, Belgium. Since 2005, the race is organized as a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour.-Winners:...
- Nederbrakel
- Strijpen
- Willebroek
- Giro di Lombardia
- Trofeo BaracchiTrofeo BaracchiThe Trofeo Baracchi was a major Italian cycling race that ran for 50 years. It was created by Mino Baracchi, in memory of his father Angelo who was a great cycle racing fan. Originally an amateur individual time trial, from 1944 it was open to professionals and became a major event on the...
(with Jean-Luc VandenbrouckeJean-Luc VandenbrouckeJean-Luc Vandenbroucke is a Belgian former road bicycle racer, track cyclist and directeur sportif. He is an uncle of Frank Vandenbroucke. He was a prologue specialist, winning 19 prologues throughout his career....
)
1981
- Circuit des Frontières
- Malderen
- Peer
- Polder-Kempen
- Six Days of Antwerpen (with René PijnenRené PijnenMarinus "René" Augustinus Josephus Pijnen is a Dutch former racing cyclist. He became Olympic champion in the 100k team time-trial in the 1968 Summer Olympics with Joop Zoetemelk, Fedor den Hertog and Jan Krekels.A professional from 1969 to 1987, Pijnen was a capable track cyclist winning the...
) - Milan – San Remo
- Ottignies
- Herselt
- Eeklo
1982
- Sassari - Cagliari
- Omloop Het Volk
1983
- Coppa Ugo AgostoniCoppa Ugo AgostoniThe Coppa Ugo Agostoni is a semi classic European bicycle race held in Lissone, Italy. The race is held in memory of Italian cyclist Ugo Agostoni, winner of prestigious classic Milan – San Remo, killed during World War II. It is also called Giro della Brianza...
- Giro della RomagnaGiro della RomagnaThe Giro della Romagna is a semi classic European bicycle race held in the Italian region of Romagna. Since 2005, the race has been organised as a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour.-Winners:...
- Giro di ToscanaGiro di ToscanaThe Giro di Toscana is a road bicycle race held annually in Tuscany, Italy. Since 2005, the race has been organised as a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour.-Winners:...
- Omloop Het Volk
1984
- Malderen
- Tour de France1984 Tour de FranceThe 1984 Tour de France was the 71st Tour de France, run over 4020.9 km in 23 stages and a prologue, from 29 June to 22 July 1984.French rider Laurent Fignon won his second consecutive Tour, beating former teammate Bernard Hinault by over 10 minutes. Hinault was pursuing his fifth Tour...
:- Winner stage 14
1985
- Deerlijk
- Vuelta a España1985 Vuelta a EspañaThe 40th Vuelta a España , a long-distance bicycle stage race and one of the 3 grand tours, was held from 23 April to 12 May 1985...
:- Winner stage 9
- Roeselare
1986
- Reutlingen
1987
- Strombeek-Bever
1989
- Malderen