Belgium loses cycling great ‘Le Crique’

Former Belgian cyclist Claude Criquielion, world champion and winner of multiple classics, has died at the age of 58. Criquielion had been in a coma since suffering a stroke and brain haemorrhage on Sunday night and passed away on Monday morning.

Criquielion, known as ‘Le Crique’, won the Barcelona World Championship in 1984. He also won the Tour of Flanders, the Clásica San Sebastian and the Fleche Wallonne twice. He finished in the top 10 of the Tour de France five times. In 1990, towards the end of his career, Criquielion was still competing as Belgian champion among the elites.

After his career as a rider, Criquielion worked for several teams, including Lotto. He was also an assistant to the mayor in his hometown of Lessines.