Scheldeprijs

The Scheldeprijs is a cycling race in Flanders and the Netherlands which starts in Terneuzen, crosses the Scheldt River, and finishes in Schoten.[1] Until 2018 it was held entirely in Belgium. The event, ranked as a 1.Pro race on the UCI ProSeries, features mostly sprinters on its roll of honour, as it is held on all-flat roads over roughly 200 kilometres.[2]

Scheldeprijs
Race details
DateMid April
RegionAntwerp, Belgium
English nameGrand Prize of the Scheldt
Local name(s)Scheldeprijs (in Dutch)
DisciplineRoad race
CompetitionUCI ProSeries
TypeSingle-day
Web sitewww.scheldeprijs.be
Men's history
First edition1907 (1907)
Editions111 (as of 2023)
First winner Maurice Leturgie (FRA)
Most wins Marcel Kittel (GER) (5 wins)
Most recent Jasper Philipsen (BEL)
Women's history
First edition2021 (2021)
Editions3 (as of 2023)
First winner Lorena Wiebes (NED)
Most wins Lorena Wiebes (NED) (3 wins)
Most recent Lorena Wiebes (NED)

First held in 1907, it is the oldest still-existing cycling event in Flanders, notably six years older than the Tour of Flanders monument race. The race had its only interruptions during both World Wars and celebrated its 100th edition in 2012. German sprinter Marcel Kittel holds the record with five wins.[3]

Scheldeprijs finish passage in Schoten, 8 april 2015

Since 2021, a women's edition of Scheldeprijs is held on the same day as the men's race, starting and finishing in Schoten, approximately 136 kilometres in distance. Lorena Wiebes won the inaugural edition.[4]

History

The first Scheldeprijs was organised by the Antwerp branch of the Belgian cycling federation (BWB) on July 8, 1907 – making it the oldest cycling race in Flanders.[5] In its early years it started and ended in Antwerp, finishing at the now demolished Zurenborg velodrome. Later the start moved to Merksem and then Deurne, on the outskirts of Antwerp. In 1996, the start moved back to the centre of Antwerp. The inaugural race in 1907 was won by Frenchman Maurice Léturgie. It would be 46 years before another non-Belgian – Dutchman Hans Dekkers – triumphed in 1953.[6]

From the 1980s until 2009, the race was held in mid-April on the Wednesday following Paris–Roubaix. In 2010, when the Scheldeprijs was purchased by Flanders Classics, the event swapped dates with Gent–Wevelgem and has since been held on the Wednesday between the Tour of Flanders and Paris–Roubaix. It has formerly been known as Scheldeprijs Schoten and Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen.[N 1] Since 2010, the race is simply known as Scheldeprijs.

Prominent winners include Eddy Merckx, Rik Van Looy, Mario Cipollini, Freddy Maertens, Roger De Vlaeminck, Erik Zabel, Briek Schotte, Stan Ockers, Georges Ronsse, Mark Cavendish, and Tom Boonen. German sprinter Marcel Kittel holds the record for most wins with five victories between 2012 and 2017. Belgian classics specialist 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 on Antwerp's market place."[7]

Route

The current route, starting with the 2018 edition, rolls out from Terneuzen, then passes through the Western Scheldt Tunnel before racing starts near Ellewoutsdijk. It takes a 129.8 kilometre tour of the islands of Walcheren, North and South Beveland in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands before crossing the border into Belgium, taking three laps on a local circuit and finishing at Churchilllaan in Schoten.[8]

The previous racecourse consisted of one 155 kilometres lap in the countryside of Antwerp province followed by three smaller laps of 15 kilometres in and around Schoten. That route included seven cobbled sections varying between 1300 and 3000 metres.[9] The race had 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 northeast. The finish was outside Schoten town hall.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition was postponed from the spring to 14 October, and a revised route of 10 laps around Schoten planned, remaining entirely in Belgian territory.[10]

Men's Winners

The following cyclists have won the race:[11]

Frenchman Maurice Léturgie won the inaugural Scheldeprijs in 1907.
Local cycling icon Rik Van Looy (pictured in the rainbow jersey) won the race twice in the 1950s.
Italian sprinter Mario Cipollini claimed two Scheldeprijs wins in the 1990s.
Mark Cavendish had his breakthrough win at the 2007 Scheldeprijs, on the T-Mobile Team, and secured two further victories in later years.
German sprinter Marcel Kittel holds the record with five wins between 2012 and 2017.
Year Country Rider Team
1907  France Maurice Leturgie
1908  Belgium Adrien Kranskens
1909  Belgium Raymond Van Parijs
1910  Belgium Florent Luyckx
1911  Belgium Florent Luyckx
1912  Belgium Joseph Van Wetter
1913  Belgium Joseph Van Wetter
1914  Belgium Octave Jacques
1915-
1918
No race
1919  Belgium Isidoor Mechant
1920  Belgium Victor Lenaers
1921  Belgium René Vermandel
1922  Belgium Florent Vandenbergh
1923  Belgium Emile Thollembeek
1924  Belgium René Vermandel Alcyon
1925  Belgium Karel Van Hassel
1926  Belgium Jef Dervaes Labor–Dunlop
1927  Belgium Georges Ronsse
1928  Belgium Jef Dervaes
1929  Belgium Joseph Wauters
1930  Belgium Denis Verschueren
1931  Belgium Godefried Devoght
1932  Belgium Godefried Devoght
1933  Belgium Jan-Jozef Horemans
1934  Belgium Léon Tommies Alcyon
1935  Belgium Gerard Loncke
1936  Belgium Marcel Van Schil
1937  Belgium Sylvain Grysolle
1938  Belgium Antoine Dignef
1939  Belgium Achiel Buysse
1940 No race
1941  Belgium Stan Ockers
1942  Belgium Lode Busschops
1943  Belgium Éloi Meulenberg
1944 No race
1945 No race
1946  Belgium Stan Ockers Metropole–Dunlop
1947  Belgium René Mertens
1948  Belgium Achiel Buysse
1949  Belgium Roger Decorte
1950  Belgium André Pieters Ryssel–Wolber
1951  Belgium Ernest Sterckx
1952  Belgium Roger Decorte Alcyon
1953  Netherlands Hans Dekkers
1954  Belgium Roger Decock
1955  Belgium Briek Schotte Alcyon
1956  Belgium Rik Van Looy Faema–Guerra
1957  Belgium Rik Van Looy Faema–Guerra
1958  Belgium Raymond Vrancken
1959  Belgium Willy Butzen
1960  Belgium Piet Oellibrandt Dr. Mann–Dossche Sport
1961  Belgium Raymond Vrancken
1962  Belgium Piet Oellibrandt Theugels–Robur
1963  Belgium Piet Oellibrandt Dr. Mann
1964  Belgium Jos Hoevenaers
1965  Belgium Willy Vannitsen
1966  Belgium Joseph Spruyt
1967  Belgium Paul In 't Ven
1968  Belgium Edward Sels Bic
1969  Belgium Walter Godefroot Flandria–De Clerck–Krüger
1970  Belgium Roger De Vlaeminck Flandria–Mars
1971  Belgium Gustaaf Van Roosbroeck Watney–Avia
1972  Belgium Eddy Merckx Molteni
1973  Belgium Freddy Maertens Flandria–Carpenter–Shimano
1974  Belgium Marc Demeyer Carpenter–Confortluxe–Flandria
1975  Belgium Ronald De Witte Carpenter–Confortluxe–Flandria
1976  Belgium Frans Verbeeck IJsboerke–Colnago
1977  Belgium Marc Demeyer Flandria–Velda–Latina Assicurazioni
1978  West Germany Dietrich Thurau IJsboerke–Gios
1979  Belgium Daniel Willems IJsboerke–Warncke
1980  Belgium Ludo Peeters IJsboerke–Warncke
1981  Netherlands Ad Wijnands TI–Raleigh–Creda
1982  Belgium Ludo Schurgers Masta–Puch
1983  Belgium Jan Bogaert Europ Decor–Dries
1984  Belgium Ludo Peeters Kwantum–Decosol–Yoko
1985  Netherlands Adri van der Poel Kwantum–Decosol–Yoko
1986  Netherlands Jean-Paul van Poppel Skala-Skil
1987  Belgium Etienne De Wilde Sigma
1988  Netherlands Jean-Paul van Poppel Superconfex–Yoko–Opel–Colnago
1989  Belgium Jean-Marie Wampers Panasonic–Isostar–Colnago–Agu
1990  Netherlands John Talen Panasonic–Sportlife
1991  Italy Mario Cipollini Del Tongo
1992  Belgium Wilfried Nelissen Panasonic–Sportlife
1993  Italy Mario Cipollini GB–MG Maglificio
1994  Belgium Peter Van Petegem Trident
1995  Italy Rossano Brasi Polti–Granarolo–Santini
1996  Belgium Frank Vandenbroucke Mapei–GB
1997  Germany Erik Zabel Team Telekom
1998  Netherlands Servais Knaven TVM–Farm Frites
1999  Netherlands Jeroen Blijlevens TVM–Farm Frites
2000  Italy Endrio Leoni Alessio
2001  Italy Endrio Leoni Alessio
2002  Australia Robbie McEwen Lotto–Adecco
2003  Belgium Ludovic Capelle Landbouwkrediet–Colnago
2004  Belgium Tom Boonen Quick-Step–Davitamon
2005  Netherlands Thorwald Veneberg Rabobank
2006  Belgium Tom Boonen Quick-Step–Innergetic
2007  Great Britain Mark Cavendish T-Mobile Team
2008  Great Britain Mark Cavendish Team High Road
2009  Italy Alessandro Petacchi LPR Brakes–Farnese Vini
2010  United States Tyler Farrar Garmin–Transitions
2011  Great Britain Mark Cavendish HTC–Highroad
2012  Germany Marcel Kittel Argos–Shimano
2013  Germany Marcel Kittel Argos–Shimano
2014  Germany Marcel Kittel Giant–Shimano
2015  Norway Alexander Kristoff Team Katusha
2016  Germany Marcel Kittel Etixx–Quick-Step
2017  Germany Marcel Kittel Quick-Step Floors
2018  Netherlands Fabio Jakobsen Quick-Step Floors
2019  Netherlands Fabio Jakobsen Deceuninck–Quick-Step
2020  Australia Caleb Ewan Lotto–Soudal
2021  Belgium Jasper Philipsen Alpecin–Fenix
2022  Norway Alexander Kristoff Intermarché–Wanty–Gobert Matériaux
2023  Belgium Jasper Philipsen Alpecin–Deceuninck

Multiple winners

Wins Rider Editions
5 Marcel Kittel (GER)2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
3 Piet Oellibrandt (BEL)1960, 1962, 1963
 Mark Cavendish (GBR)2007, 2008, 2011
2 Florent Luyckx (BEL)1910, 1911
 Joseph Van Wetter (BEL)1912, 1913
 René Vermandel (BEL)1921, 1924
 Godefried De Vocht (BEL)1931, 1932
 Achiel Buysse (BEL)1939, 1948
 Stan Ockers (BEL)1941, 1946
 Rik Van Looy (BEL)1956, 1957
 Raymond Vrancken (BEL)1958, 1961
 Marc Demeyer (BEL)1974, 1977
 Ludo Peeters (BEL)1980, 1984
 Jean-Paul van Poppel (NED)1986, 1988
 Mario Cipollini (ITA)1991, 1993
 Endrio Leoni (ITA)2000, 2001
 Tom Boonen (BEL)2004, 2006
 Fabio Jakobsen (NED)2018, 2019
 Alexander Kristoff (NOR)2015, 2022
 Jasper Philipsen (BEL)2021, 2023

Wins per country

Wins Country
78 Belgium
11 Netherlands
7 Germany (including  West Germany)
6 Italy
3 Great Britain
2 Australia
 Norway
1 France
 United States

Women's Winners

Year Country Rider Team
2021  Netherlands Lorena Wiebes Team DSM
2022  Netherlands Lorena Wiebes Team DSM
2023  Netherlands Lorena Wiebes SD Worx

Wins per country

Wins Country
3 Netherlands

References

  1. Until the 1990s, English language sources tended to refer to the race by the French translation of its name (Grand Prix de l'Escaut), even though the race has always been held wholly within Dutch-speaking territory.
  1. "Scheldeprijs". FirstCycling.com. 2023.
  2. "Scheldeprijs preview: Boonen to back off in sprinters' semi-classic". Velo News. 2012 Competitor Group, Inc. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  3. Weislo, Laura (5 April 2017). "Kittel wins Scheldeprijs for 5th time". cyclingnews.com. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  4. Frattini, Kirsten (7 April 2021). "Lorena Wiebes wins first Scheldeprijs Women". cyclingnews.com. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  5. D'Arcy Price (12 April 2006). "94th Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen – 1.HC". Cycling News. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  6. "Scheldeprijs / G.P de l'Escaut (Bel) - Cat.1.ProS". Memoire-du-cyclisme.eu (in French).
  7. Jeff Jones (14 April 2004). "92nd Grote Scheldeprijs — Vlaanderen – 1.1". Cycling News. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  8. "The new route of the Scheldeprijs". Flanders Classics. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  9. "Reflections from the cobbled classics". Cycling Tips. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  10. "108th Scheldeprijs will start and finish in Schoten". Scheldeprijs (official website). Flanders Classics. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  11. "Scheldeprijs". siteducyclisme. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
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