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Alberic "Briek" Schotte (1919 – 2004)

World champion 1948 & 1950

Ronde van Vlaanderen 1942 & 1948

Paris–Tours 1946 & 1947

Paris–Brussels 1946 & 1952

Briek Schotte nicknamed Iron Briek is seen as the « last Flandrian ». He only knew one race strategy: riding alone, head down without worrying about the others. Schotte’s history is deeply linked to his favourite race, the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders). Winner in 1942 and 1948, he participated 20 years in a row with an incredible total of eight podiums. Schotte was a fighter, he was not an elegant racer and had no style but he was a real frenzied cyclist. Briek Schotte wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything. He did not fell bad weather, Coppi, Bartali or any other champion. Against all odds, he won the 1948 world championship and won again two years later at home in Moorslede. Schotte raced professionally until 40 years old. He died in April 2004 on the very day of the Ronde van Vlaanderen : a race he will forever embody.