Last Saturday Erwin Vervecken hung up his bike for good after 18 years of pro cycling. The city of Herentals decided to organize a jubilee in his honour. It was a race in which everybody could take part and cycle with the best crossers of the moment (they were almost all there). More than 700 anonymous riders were present and also some ex riders : Liboton, De Bie D., his ex coach and Van Santvliet, his ex teammate. But the pros wanted to make it a real race. The organizers put a prime after two laps and Nys took it after great efforts. Everything is worth taking for Sven. 
http://www.thalsfm.be/sport/lokaal/?ge=3&tid=47246
http://www.sport.be/fotospecial/?fotospecial_id=6245&foto_order=1&language_id=1
Erwin's career began in the winter 92/93 with a win in Leudelange, Luxemburg a.o. but was really launched the next winter with a 2nd place in Gieten and most of all a win in the Dune Cross of Koksijde. He won his 5th and last Dune Cross 15 years later. By the time, he already had his 3 Worlds.
Vervecken was a unique rider who used to make the difference not only with his bike qualities but mostly his running qualities, like Zweifel in his time. This reminds us that cyclocross was once called "cross cyclo-pédestre" in French ("bike and on foot"). He was also Belgian MTB champion and won a stage in the Tour de Liège on the road in 2004 when he and his teammates were without contract following the Spaar Select bankruptcy.
In an underground station Saturday I went up the stairs with 3 steps at a time, as a tribute to Erwin ... or maybe because I was in a hurry.
This man also invented a new Bolognese spaghetti recipe with red cabbage and lumpias and "won" a race as a female impersonator on the Eve of his wedding.
http://www.thalsfm.be/sport/lokaal/?ge=3&tid=47246
http://www.sport.be/fotospecial/?fotospecial_id=6245&foto_order=1&language_id=1
Erwin's career began in the winter 92/93 with a win in Leudelange, Luxemburg a.o. but was really launched the next winter with a 2nd place in Gieten and most of all a win in the Dune Cross of Koksijde. He won his 5th and last Dune Cross 15 years later. By the time, he already had his 3 Worlds.
Vervecken was a unique rider who used to make the difference not only with his bike qualities but mostly his running qualities, like Zweifel in his time. This reminds us that cyclocross was once called "cross cyclo-pédestre" in French ("bike and on foot"). He was also Belgian MTB champion and won a stage in the Tour de Liège on the road in 2004 when he and his teammates were without contract following the Spaar Select bankruptcy.
In an underground station Saturday I went up the stairs with 3 steps at a time, as a tribute to Erwin ... or maybe because I was in a hurry.
This man also invented a new Bolognese spaghetti recipe with red cabbage and lumpias and "won" a race as a female impersonator on the Eve of his wedding.
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