Cyrille Van Hauwaert

Cyrille Van Hauwaert ( born September 16, 1883 in Moorslede, † February 15, 1974 in Zellik ( today Aces) ) was a Belgian racing cyclist.

Cyrille Van Hauwaert, called " Leeuw van Vlaanderen " ( " Lion of Flanders " ), was among the early winners of road classics, and was the first Belgian cycling idol. 1907 and 1909 he won Bordeaux - Paris, 1908 Paris -Roubaix and Milan-San Remo, each of the first Belgian. In 1909 he won the first stage of the Tour de France, wearing for a day - also the first Belgian - the " yellow jersey " and was fifth in the standings; In the same year he became Belgian road champion. In 1910 he finished fourth in the overall standings of the Tour de France. He started at six Six Days; twice, in 1914 ( with John Stol ) and 1915 ( with Jozef Van Bever ), he won the Six Days of Brussels.

Van Hauwaerts racing successes made ​​for a cycling boom in Belgium. 1911 wrote Cyrille Van Hauwaert his autobiography mijne Loopbaan that carrière in the same year under the title Ma also appeared in French. During World War II, he ended his active career, founded after the war, the bicycle factory " Cycles Van Hauwaert " in Ronse and had functions in the Belgian Cycling Federation held. Between 1922 and 1961 maintained Van Hauwaerts company, with interruptions, a private team.

In his hometown Moorslede a street is named after Cyrille Van Hauwaert. 1983, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, there is also a monument to him was unveiled opposite the municipal sports hall. 1999, he published Cyrille Van Hauwaert. Pioneer van de Belgische wieler sport, published by the " Nationaal Museum Wieler " in Roeselare.