Today I came across such new information.
In 1937, Leon Drossart, 22, ran in the Tour de Belgique as an "Independant".
The status of "Independant" allowed amateurs of a certain caliber to compete against professionals as they gained experience.
The Tour of Belgium for "Independants" was organized yearly between 1911 and 1964, except during the war years (14-18 and 40-45)
In 1937, the race covered 1,729km (1,074 miles) in a period of 10 days: from June 17 to June 27. They estimated the average racing speed at 35.233 km/h (just under 22m/h).
Of 186 who registered, 162 participated. Only 34 were classified. It was nice to see his name among them: #30. He came in 2h 48' 04" behind the winner Maurice Clautier.
So it took him 51h 52' 27" to cover 1,074 miles by bike...
He often told us about the difficulties he ran into when he raced. Flat tires had to be repaired on site. Nobody to help or to just hand you over a fresh bike...
I am pretty proud that he dared to win. Though he fell short, I have no doubt it was an invigorating and exhausting experience. Imagine the crowds lined up along the roads cheering for their favorite racers.
He began a professional career in 1938 so he likely had been racing for at least a couple of years already. Oh that I could go back and ask him... now I have questions and nobody to answer them...
The race was broken down into smaller stages.
The first leg of the race was- Brussels - Genk: 177 km - In 9th place a peloton of 29 bikers came in together... was he one of them?
- Antwerpen - Oostende, 175 km
- Oostende - Morlanwelz, 188 km
- Morlanwelz - Paliseul, 175 km
- Paliseul - Neufchâteau, 36 km CLM
- Neufchâteau - Luxemburg, 170 km
- Luxembourg - Liege, 208 km
- Liege - Pont-de-Loup, 185 km
- Pont-de-Loup - Brussels, 210 km
That's a lot of pedaling!
Sorry, I could not close the loop with Google maps (= The map indicates a lower number, but it's likely because the roads are different today than they were 84 years ago.
I wonder if he stopped by the bakery where my grandmother worked when he reached Brussels...
So many questions still but today I gained a little appreciation for something he did...
Final Results :
1. Maurice CLAUTIER in 49h04'23"
2. Albert Dubuisson at 38" behind first
3. Joseph Van Kerckhoven at 7'54" behind first
4. Théo Van Oppen at 9'21" behind first
5. Frans Gahy at 11'55" behind first
6. Jan Staeren at 12'12" behind first
7. Oscar Giltay at 17'43" behind first
8. Rémi Rayen at 36'15" behind first
9. Robert De Bloem at 41'49" behind first
10. Maurice Houfflin at 47'18" behind first
11. Joseph Torfs at 47'23" behind first
12. Albert Jacquet (Fra) at 47'58" behind first
13. François Van der Motten at 53'17" behind first
14. Oscar Joly at 56'17" behind first
15. Jan De Clercq at 59'24" behind first
16. André Hallaert at 1h00'56" behind first
17. Amado Feduzzi (Ita) at 1h02'45" behind first
18. Pascal Boelen at 1h06'58" behind first
19. René Van Hove at 1h07'21" behind first
20. Auguste Dejonckheere at 1h15'35" behind first
21. Frans Van Ransbeeck at 1h23'25" behind first
22. Antoine Reuten at 1h31'48" behind first
23. Frans Pauwels (Hol) at 1h42'32" behind first
24. Joseph Dominicus at 1h53'49" behind first
25. Georges Van der Gucht at 2h07'42" behind first
26. Victor Meuleman at 2h11'14" behind first
27. René Belsack at 2h11'17" behind first
28. Jules Raes at 2h40'49" behind first
29. Jan Janssens at 2h41'54" behind first
30. Léon Drossart at 2h48'04" behind first
31. Riccardo Masutti (Ita) at 3h06'04" behind first
32. Henri Borry at 3h49'37" behind first
33. Jean Drion at 3h54'39" behind first
34. Edouard Delizée at 5h 07' 55" behind first
