Rik Van Steenbergen’s Final Race 1966

$250.00

This poster commemorates the final race of Belgian cycling legend Rik Van Steenbergen, held in 1966, marking the end of one of the most prolific professional careers in cycling history. The event celebrated not just his retirement, but a career that spanned over two decades, with victories on both road and track.

His commanding presence, both on and off the bike, along with his striking physical appearance and natural authority, made Van Steenbergen a figure of reverence in the peloton—admired, respected, and sometimes feared. These traits earned him enduring nicknames such as “The Boss” and “El Rey” (The King).

This poster has been archivally and professionally linen-backed.

Virtually all original vintage posters of this era were viewed as temporary advertising and were printed on very thin paper. While expensive, linen backing is a conservation method used to mount, stabilize, preserve, and protect vintage posters so they can be displayed or framed without compromising value.

This poster is an original first printing, not a reproduction.

Year: 1966
Artist: N/A

Size: 51 x 71 cm (20 x 28 inches) – Linen Backed Archival Mounting

Posters are sold unframed. Framed images are display ideas only.

This is a one-of-a-kind item; please review the photos carefully to determine the condition.

In stock

Description

Rik Van Steenbergen

Rik Van Steenbergen (born September 9, 1924, in Arendonk, Belgium – died May 15, 2003) was one of the most successful and versatile cyclists of the 20th century, known for his dominance on both the road and the track. He won the UCI Road World Championship three times (1949, 1956, and 1957), a feat matched by only a few riders in cycling history. Over his career, Van Steenbergen claimed 270 professional road victories, including major wins at Paris–Roubaix (1948, 1952), Tour of Flanders (1944, 1946), and La Flèche Wallonne (1949, 1958). He also won four stages in the Tour de France and 15 stages in the Giro d’Italia along with winning both the Vuelta &  Giro Points Jerseys.. On the track, he was a prolific six-day rider, winning 40 six-day races and excelling in the madison and points race disciplines. Renowned for his sprinting power and tactical intelligence, Van Steenbergen remains a legend in Belgian cycling.

 

Additional information

Weight 3 lbs

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