Gustaaf Deloor
Encyclopedia
Gustaaf Deloor was a Belgian
road racing cyclist and the winner of the first two editions of the Vuelta a España
in 1935 and 1936. The 1936 edition remains the longest winning finish time of the Vuelta in 150:07:54, the race consisted of 22 stages with a total length of 4,407 km. Gustaaf finished first and his older brother Alfons
finished second overall.
caused the end of his career. Deloor was serving in the Belgium army at Fort Eben-Emael
near Maastricht
but when the German
army invaded the fort on 10 May 1940, Deloor together with some 1,200 Belgians were taken prisoner. In Stalag II-B
or the prisoner-of-war camp
II-B, Deloor was able to work in the kitchen due to a German officier that was interested in sports. When Deloor returned from the war, he came back to a plundered house and decided to start a new life in the United States of America in 1949. After ten years in New York he moved to Los Angeles. He lost his first wife in 1966 but remarried. In 1980, Deloor returned to Belgium.
1936
1937
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 racing cyclist and the winner of the first two editions of the Vuelta a España
Vuelta a España
The Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages...
in 1935 and 1936. The 1936 edition remains the longest winning finish time of the Vuelta in 150:07:54, the race consisted of 22 stages with a total length of 4,407 km. Gustaaf finished first and his older brother Alfons
Alfons Deloor
Alfons Deloor was a Belgian racing cyclist. He reached second place at the 1936 Vuelta a España behind his brother Gustaaf.-External links:...
finished second overall.
Biography
Deloor was professional from 1932 until 1939 when World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
caused the end of his career. Deloor was serving in the Belgium army at Fort Eben-Emael
Fort Eben-Emael
Fort Eben-Emael is an inactive Belgian fortress located between Liège and Maastricht, on the Belgian-Dutch border, near the Albert Canal, and designed to defend Belgium from a German attack across the narrow belt of Dutch territory in the region. Constructed in 1931–1935, it was reputed to be...
near Maastricht
Maastricht
Maastricht is situated on both sides of the Meuse river in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands, on the Belgian border and near the German border...
but when the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
army invaded the fort on 10 May 1940, Deloor together with some 1,200 Belgians were taken prisoner. In Stalag II-B
Stalag II-B
Stalag II-B was a German World War II prisoner-of-war camp situated west of the village of Hammerstein, Pomerania on the north side of the railway line.-Camp history:...
or the prisoner-of-war camp
Prisoner-of-war camp
A prisoner-of-war camp is a site for the containment of combatants captured by their enemy in time of war, and is similar to an internment camp which is used for civilian populations. A prisoner of war is generally a soldier, sailor, or airman who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or...
II-B, Deloor was able to work in the kitchen due to a German officier that was interested in sports. When Deloor returned from the war, he came back to a plundered house and decided to start a new life in the United States of America in 1949. After ten years in New York he moved to Los Angeles. He lost his first wife in 1966 but remarried. In 1980, Deloor returned to Belgium.
Major Results
1935- Vuelta a España1935 Vuelta a EspañaThe 1st edition of Vuelta a España took place April 29 to May 15, 1935, and consisted of 14 stages and 3425 km, the winning average speed was 28.54 km/h. The Vuelta began and ended in Madrid, Spain....
:
winner overall classification- Wearing leader's jersey for 12 days
- Winner stages 3, 11 and 14
1936
- Vuelta a España1936 Vuelta a EspañaThe 1936 Vuelta a España was the 2nd Vuelta a España.This cycling race took place from May 5 to May 31, 1936. The race was composed of 21 stages over 4,354 km and was ridden at an average of 29 km/h. The second edition of the Vuelta began under a volatile political and social situation...
:- winner overall classification
- Wearing leader's jersey for 20 days
- Winner stages 2, 4 and 6
1937
- 16th, Overall, Tour de France1937 Tour de FranceThe 1937 Tour de France was the 31st Tour de France, taking place June 30 to July 25, 1937. It consisted of 20 stages with a total length of 4415 km, ridden at an average speed of 31.768 km/h....
- 1st, Stage 6
- 2nd, Liège–Bastogne–Liège