Willy Vannitsen

Vannitsen was born on 8 February 1935 in Jeuk, Limburg. In his time, Vannitsen was known as one of the fastest legs in the peloton. In the youth categories he won more than 100 competitions. In 1951, he became Belgian champion with the novices, ahead of Frans Schoubben. As an enthusiast, he won 70 races in two years (1952, 1953).

Vannitsen made his debut as a professional cyclist with Peugeot in 1954, with four victories. In his entire professional career (1954-1966) he achieved a total of 91 victories. His most honored year was 1958, when he received the victory flowers 14 times. There is one classic victory on his palmares: the Flèche Wallonne in 1961. Vannitsen was part of a leading group, which he was able to join in the full final in the wake of Jacques Anquetil. The Belgian made it in the sprint, ahead of the French race sprinter Jean Graczyk.

Vannitsen won two Tour stages and one stage in the Giro. His other most important victories include the Ronde van Limburg (1957 and 1960), the Omloop van Limburg (1958, 1961 and 1966), the Omloop van Centraal Brabant, Milano–Vignola (1961), Borgloon, Aalst and Vorst–Brussels (1962), the Grand Prix of Dortmund and Zonhoven-Antwerp-Zonhoven (1963), the Scheldeprijs (1965) and the famous Acht van Chaam in 1962.

Willy Vannitsen in 1962

His most important places of honor are a second place in Paris–Brussels in 1959 behind Frans Schoubben, in the Tour of Lombardy behind Rik Van Looy, in the Belgian championship in 1960 behind Frans De Mulder, and a third place in 1965 Paris–Roubaix behind Rik Van Looy and Edward Sels.

Willy Vannitsen finished 70th in his first Tour de France in 1962. That year he won the 10th and 15th stage. In his three other Tour participations (1963, 1964 and 1966) he gave up every time. He also rode the Tour of Italy four times, each time leaving the race early, but in 1958 he won the first stage, which earned him a day in pink.

Vannitsen also took part in the Tour of the Netherlands twice. In 1956 he finished fifth and won a stage. In 1965 he was 34th. He rode the Tour of Belgium five times: 4th in 1955 with a stage victory, retired in 1959 but a stage victory, 73rd in 1965 and 13th in 1966.

Vannitsen was also quite good on the track. He won two Six Days: in 1957 in Brussels, together with fellow countryman Rik Van Looy and in 1961 in Antwerp with the same Van Looy and the Dutchman Peter Post.[3]

At the age of 64, Vannitsen suffered acerebral haemorrhage. He completely recovered, but died two years later after a fall.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Willy Vannitsen.

• Willy Vannitsen at Cycling Archives
• Willy Vannitsen – official Tour de France results (archive)