Félicien Vervaecke
Encyclopedia
Félicien Vervaecke was a Belgian professional cyclist from 1930 to 1939. In the Tour de France
he showed good results, finishing three times on the podium (second once, third twice). In 1935 and 1937 he won the mountain classification, and overall he won six stages.
In the 1936 Tour de France
, Vervaecke was on his way to the second place, but bad luck prevented it. First his bicycle broke, and he had to convince a spectator to lend his. Then he suffered a flat tire, and Tour officials forced him to wait for the reserve car. Antonin Magne
passed him. When Vervaecke got his tire, he raced back to Magne, and finished 18 seconds behind him. But he still finished third, as he received 10 minutes penalty because his wife had given him drinks during the race, which was not allowed.
In the 1937 Tour de France
, Vervaecke won the mountain classification despite not finishing the race, something no longer allowed.
He was the first Belgian cyclist to win a stage in the Giro d'Italia
.
After his cycling career, Vervaecke started a bicycle shop in Brussels. He was the first manager of Eddy Merckx
.
His older brother Julien Vervaecke
was also successful, finishing third in the 1927 Tour de France
.
1932
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
he showed good results, finishing three times on the podium (second once, third twice). In 1935 and 1937 he won the mountain classification, and overall he won six stages.
In the 1936 Tour de France
1936 Tour de France
The 1936 Tour de France was the 30th Tour de France, taking place July 7 to August 2, 1936. It was composed of 21 stages with a total length of 4,418 km, ridden at an average speed of 31.108 km/h. Because of health problems, Henri Desgrange stopped as Tour director, and was succeeded by...
, Vervaecke was on his way to the second place, but bad luck prevented it. First his bicycle broke, and he had to convince a spectator to lend his. Then he suffered a flat tire, and Tour officials forced him to wait for the reserve car. Antonin Magne
Antonin Magne
Antonin Magne was a French cyclist who won the Tour de France in 1931 and 1934. He raced as a professional from 1927 to 1939 and then became a team manager...
passed him. When Vervaecke got his tire, he raced back to Magne, and finished 18 seconds behind him. But he still finished third, as he received 10 minutes penalty because his wife had given him drinks during the race, which was not allowed.
In the 1937 Tour de France
1937 Tour de France
The 1937 Tour de France was the 31st Tour de France, taking place June 30 to July 25, 1937. It consisted of 20 stages with a total length of 4415 km, ridden at an average speed of 31.768 km/h....
, Vervaecke won the mountain classification despite not finishing the race, something no longer allowed.
He was the first Belgian cyclist to win a stage in the Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
.
After his cycling career, Vervaecke started a bicycle shop in Brussels. He was the first manager of Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx
Edouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all...
.
His older brother Julien Vervaecke
Julien Vervaecke
Julien Vervaecke was a Belgian professional road bicycle racer. He won Paris–Roubaix, Paris–Brussels, 2 stages in the Tour de France and finished 3rd in the 1927 Tour de France....
was also successful, finishing third in the 1927 Tour de France
1927 Tour de France
The 1927 Tour de France was the 21st Tour de France, taking place June 19 to July 17, 1927. It consisted of 24 stages over 5340 km, ridden at an average speed of 27.224 km/h....
.
Major results
1929- Paris-Lens
- Tourcoing-Dunkerque-Tourcoing
1932
- Tour de France1932 Tour de FranceThe 1932 Tour de France was the 26th Tour de France, taking place July 6 to July 31, 1932. It consisted of 21 stages over 4479 km, ridden at an average speed of 29.047 km/h....
:- Did not finish
- Tour de Corrèze
1934
- Tour de France1934 Tour de FranceThe 1934 Tour de France was the 28th Tour de France, taking place July 3 to July 29, 1934. It consisted of 23 stages over 4,363 km, ridden at an average speed of 30.360 km/h. The race was won by Antonin Magne, who had previously won the 1931 Tour de France. The French team was dominant,...
:- Final classification: 4th place
- Giro d'ItaliaGiro d'ItaliaThe Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
: Stage 8
1935
- Tour de France1935 Tour de FranceThe 1935 Tour de France was the 29th Tour de France, taking place July 4 to July 28, 1935. It consisted of 21 stages over 4,338 km, ridden at an average speed of 30.650 km/h. Although the French team was favourite, Belgian Romain Maes took the lead in the first stage, and never gave it away...
- Final classification: 3rd place
- Winner Mountains classification
- Paris–Nice: Stage 5B
1936
- Tour de France1936 Tour de FranceThe 1936 Tour de France was the 30th Tour de France, taking place July 7 to August 2, 1936. It was composed of 21 stages with a total length of 4,418 km, ridden at an average speed of 31.108 km/h. Because of health problems, Henri Desgrange stopped as Tour director, and was succeeded by...
- Final classification: 3rd place
- Winner of stage 19B
- Paris–Nice: Stage 1
1937
- Tour de France1937 Tour de FranceThe 1937 Tour de France was the 31st Tour de France, taking place June 30 to July 25, 1937. It consisted of 20 stages with a total length of 4415 km, ridden at an average speed of 31.768 km/h....
- did not finish
- Winner Mountains classification
- Winner stage 10
- Paris–Nice: Stage 5A
1938
- Tour de France1938 Tour de FranceThe 1938 Tour de France was the 32nd Tour de France, taking place July 5 to July 31, 1938. It was composed of 21 stages over 4694 km, ridden at an average speed of 31.565 km/h...
- Final classification: 2nd place
- Winner of stage 4C
- Winner of stage 8
- Winner of stage 10B
- Winner of stage 20B
1939
- Tour de France1939 Tour de FranceThe 1939 Tour de France was the 33rd Tour de France, taking place from 10 to 30 July 1939. The total distance was 4,224 km and the average speed of the riders was 31.986 km/h....
- did not finish
Teams
- 1930: Alcyon
- 1931: Alcyon and Labor
- 1932-1933: Labor
- 1934: Labor and Gamma
- 1935-1936: Labor and Alcyon
- 1937-1939: Labor