Cycling legend Rik Van Looy, renowned for his prowess in the one-day classics, has died at the age of 90 following a short illness, Belgian media reported on Wednesday.

Early Life And Career

Known as the 'Emperor of Herentals' after the Belgian city where he lived, Van Looy began delivering newspapers on his bicycle at the age of 12, turned professional at 20, and went on to achieve 371 pro victories. A specialist in one-day classics during his heyday in the late 1950s and '60s, he became the first cyclist, before Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck, to win all five cycling monuments: Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and the Tour of Lombardy.

Racing In A Golden Era

Van Looy competed in a memorable era of cycling alongside legends such as Rik Van Steenbergen, Fausto Coppi, Ferdi Kubler, Hugo Koblet, Louison Bobet, Jacques Anquetil, Raymond Poulidor, Charly Gaul, and an emerging Merckx. He remains the only rider to win all the classics, with a total of 16, including eight monuments—something even Merckx, who never won Paris-Tours, did not achieve.

Tributes From Legends

"Rik was an immense champion, an absolute icon with an incredible record of achievements," said Eddy Merckx, who was Van Looy's teammate for one season in 1965. "Rik was a super champion who was almost unbeatable in the classics. I'm happy to have been able to race against him."

Merckx also shared that Van Looy contacted him 10 days ago to wish him well after his recent bike crash and hip replacement. "Even though he was ill, he took the trouble to call me when I was in the hospital. It wasn't until last month that his condition deteriorated rapidly," Merckx said.

Roger De Vlaeminck, 77, expressed his sadness, saying, "We battled for about four years. I still have a photo of Van Looy, Eddy Merckx, and myself before the start of a race."

Legacy And Achievements

Beyond his one-day successes, Van Looy claimed numerous stage wins across all three Grand Tours—France, Italy, and Spain—and secured world road race titles in 1960 and 1961. His remarkable career brought him celebrity status, with Van Looy receiving up to 1,000 letters a week from admirers at his peak.

"Younger riders may not realize it, but he was extraordinarily popular," said Lucien Van Impe, the last Belgian winner of the Tour de France in 1976.