Grote Scheldeprijs
Encyclopedia
The Scheldeprijs is a Flanders Classics
cycling
race which starts in Antwerp and finishes in Schoten
. The event, ranked at 1.HC on the UCI
European calendar, is seen as a race for sprinters, held on flat roads over roughly 200 kilometres. The race is one circuit of 155 kilometres into the countryside of Antwerp province
followed by three circuits of 15 kilometres based on Schoten. The route includes seven cobbled sections varying between 1300 and 3000 metres. Until 2009 the race took place in mid-April on the Wednesday following Paris–Roubaix. In 2010, after The Scheldeprijs joined Flanders Classics
the race switched with the Brabantse Pijl
to attract more and better racers. It has formerly been known as the Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen. Until the 1990s, English language sources tended to refer to the race by the French version of its name, Grand Prix de l'Escaut, even though the race has always been held wholly within Dutch-speaking territory. From 2011, the race is simply known as Scheldeprijs.
The race has a neutralised start on the banks of the River Schelde
in the centre of Antwerp at the Grote Markt outside the City Hall
. Racing begins in Schoten, a few kilometres north east. The finish is outside Schoten town hall.
The first Scheldeprijs was organised by the Antwerp branch of the Belgian cycling federation (BWB
) on July 8, 1907 making it the oldest cycle race in Flanders
. In its early years it started and finished in Antwerp, concluding at the now demolished Zurenborg velodrome
. Later the start moved to Merksem
and then Deurne, both satellite towns of Antwerp. In 1996 the start moved back to the centre of Antwerp. The first race in 1907 was won by the Frenchman Maurice Leturgie. It would be 46 years before another non-Belgian (Dutchman Hans Dekkers in 1953) triumphed. Since 1978 the nationality of the race winner has become more diversified.
Only the World Wars interrupted the event. The Scheldeprijs celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007.
Prominent winners include Eddy Merckx
, Rik van Looy
, Mario Cipollini
, Freddy Maertens
, Roger De Vlaeminck
, Erik Zabel
, Briek Schotte
, Stan Ockers
, Georges Ronsse
and Tom Boonen
. The Belgian Piet Oellibrandt jointly holds the record for most wins with Manxman Mark Cavendish
, having both recorded three victories. Johan Museeuw
, who finished second in 1992 and 1997 chose the 2004 event as his final race, 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 especially love the start in Antwerp market place.”
Flanders Classics
Flanders Classics is an umbrella organization for classic cycle races held in Flanders. It was founded in 2010 and it contains six races, of which the Ronde van Vlaanderen is the most important.-Mission:...
cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
race which starts in Antwerp and finishes in Schoten
Schoten
Schoten is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Schoten proper. On January 1, 2006 Schoten had a total population of 33,160. The total area is which gives a population density of 1,122 inhabitants per km². Schoten abuts the...
. The event, ranked at 1.HC on the UCI
Union Cycliste Internationale
Union Cycliste Internationale is the world governing body for sports cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events. The UCI is based in Aigle, Switzerland....
European calendar, is seen as a race for sprinters, held on flat roads over roughly 200 kilometres. The race is one circuit of 155 kilometres into the countryside 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...
followed by three circuits of 15 kilometres based on Schoten. The route includes seven cobbled sections varying between 1300 and 3000 metres. Until 2009 the race took place in mid-April on the Wednesday following Paris–Roubaix. In 2010, after The Scheldeprijs joined Flanders Classics
Flanders Classics
Flanders Classics is an umbrella organization for classic cycle races held in Flanders. It was founded in 2010 and it contains six races, of which the Ronde van Vlaanderen is the most important.-Mission:...
the race switched with the Brabantse Pijl
Brabantse Pijl
The Brabantse Pijl is a Flanders Classics road bicycle race held annually in Flemish Brabant, Belgium. Since 2005, the race has been organised as a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour. In 2011, it was upgraded to a 1.HC event...
to attract more and better racers. It has formerly been known as the Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen. Until the 1990s, English language sources tended to refer to the race by the French version of its name, Grand Prix de l'Escaut, even though the race has always been held wholly within Dutch-speaking territory. From 2011, the race is simply known as Scheldeprijs.
The race has a neutralised start on the banks of the River Schelde
Scheldt
The Scheldt is a 350 km long river in northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands...
in the centre of Antwerp at the Grote Markt outside the City Hall
Antwerp City Hall
The City Hall of Antwerp, Belgium, stands on the western side of Antwerp's Grote Markt . Erected between 1561 and 1565 to the design of Cornelis Floris de Vriendt and several other architects and artists, this Renaissance building incorporates both Flemish and Italian influences.The low arcaded...
. Racing begins in Schoten, a few kilometres north east. The finish is outside Schoten town hall.
The first Scheldeprijs was organised by the Antwerp branch of the Belgian cycling federation (BWB
Royal Belgian Cycling League
The Royal Belgian Cycling League or KBWB/RLVB is the national governing body of cycle racing in Belgium....
) on July 8, 1907 making it the oldest cycle race in Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
. In its early years it started and finished in Antwerp, concluding at the now demolished Zurenborg velodrome
Velodrome
A velodrome is an arena for track cycling. Modern velodromes feature steeply banked oval tracks, consisting of two 180-degree circular bends connected by two straights...
. Later the start moved to Merksem
Merksem
Merksem is a district of the municipality and city of Antwerp in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It has almost 41,000 inhabitants.-History:The history of Merksem goes back to Gallo-Roman times. During that period the region was mentioned as Merk and Heim being part of the diocese Kamerijk...
and then Deurne, both satellite towns of Antwerp. In 1996 the start moved back to the centre of Antwerp. The first race in 1907 was won by the Frenchman Maurice Leturgie. It would be 46 years before another non-Belgian (Dutchman Hans Dekkers in 1953) triumphed. Since 1978 the nationality of the race winner has become more diversified.
Only the World Wars interrupted the event. The Scheldeprijs celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007.
Prominent winners include 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...
, Rik van Looy
Rik Van Looy
Henri van Looy is a Belgian former professional cyclist of the post-war period, nicknamed the King of the Classics or Emperor of Herentals...
, Mario Cipollini
Mario Cipollini
Mario Cipollini , often abbreviated to "Cipo", is a retired Italian professional road cyclist most noted for his sprinting ability, the longevity of his dominance and his colourful personality. His nicknames include Il Re Leone and Super Mario...
, Freddy Maertens
Freddy Maertens
Freddy Maertens is a Belgian former professional racing cyclist and twice World Road Race Champion.- Career :...
, Roger De Vlaeminck
Roger De Vlaeminck
Roger De Vlaeminck is a Belgian former professional racing cyclist. He was described by Rik Van Looy as '"The most talented and the only real classics rider of his generation"...
, Erik Zabel
Erik Zabel
Erik Zabel is a former German professional road bicycle racer who last raced with Milram. With over 200 professional wins he is considered by some one of the greatest German cyclists and best cycling sprinters of history...
, Briek Schotte
Alberic Schotte
Alberic "Briek" Schotte was a Belgian professional road racing cyclist, one of the champions of the 1940s and 1950s...
, Stan Ockers
Stan Ockers
Constant Ockers was a Belgian professional racing cyclist.He was runner-up in the Tour de France in 1950 and 1952, and the best sprinter in that race in 1955 and 1956. In 1955 he won the Classic "Ardennes double" by winning La Flèche Wallonne and the Liège–Bastogne–Liège in the same year...
, Georges Ronsse
Georges Ronsse
Georges Ronsse was a two-time national cyclo-cross and two-time world champion road bicycle racer from Belgium, who raced between 1926 and 1938....
and Tom Boonen
Tom Boonen
Tom Boonen is a Belgian professional road bicycle racer who won the 2005 World Road Race Championship. He is a member of the team, and is considered a single-day road race specialist with a strong finishing sprint...
. The Belgian Piet Oellibrandt jointly holds the record for most wins with Manxman Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish MBE is a Manx professional road racing cyclist who rides for UCI ProTeam until the end of this season when the team is dissolved. He will join Team Sky at the start of the 2012 season...
, having both recorded three victories. Johan Museeuw
Johan Museeuw
Johan Museeuw is a retired Belgian professional road bicycle racer. He was a professional from 1988 to 2004 and was particularly successful in the classic cycle races in the nineties....
, who finished second in 1992 and 1997 chose the 2004 event as his final race, 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 especially love the start in Antwerp market place.”