Vanderstuyft

The worlds fastest cyclists in their era the Vanderstuyft family famous from Brussels-Belgium to the United States and Australia!Frédericus ('Fritz') Vanderstuyft was one of Belgium's first cyclists. As early as 1893 he was at the start of Bordeaux-Paris and in 1899 he came third in the national road championship in his home town of Ypres. Besides being a cyclist Vanderstuyft was also a true entrepreneur. After a short career with 'the administration of the iron road' he opened an inn in Ypres and later a coal business. His two sons Arthur and Léon followed in his footsteps and built a noted cycling career.Son Arthur - at the request of his father Frederik - took part in a race in Beitem (Roeselare) when he was 11 and came second. His first international race was the French cycling race Tourcoing-Betune-Tourcoing which he won by more than five minutes. By 1903 Arthur Vanderstuyft had already won more than 500 races including both road and track races. That year he also won the national elite road title in Brussels. Vanderstuyft won several titles on the track and also took places of honour at national championships and world championships. In 1923 his cycling career came to an abrupt end after a fall caused by a stray dog that ran across the track during track training.Léon Van Der Stuyft Arthur's seven-year younger brother became the rider who covered the greatest distance ever in one hour. On 29 September 1928 Vanderstuyft (behind a derny bike on a yellow Opel bicycle the so-called ZR III) rode the distance of 122.771 km in one hour. An exploit that was never bettered afterwards.It was therefore written in the stars that Frederik Vanderstuyft son of Arthur would also develop a flourishing cycling career. He soon showed his talent by beating generational rival Rik Van Steenbergen in a sprint. Unfortunately an unfortunate accident during a race marked the end of his cycling career.Lavishly illustrated with the finest photos from the author's unique photo archive.