Rik van Linden Photo Gallery

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Rik van Linden (born July 28, 1949) was a racer with a punishing sprint. The Belgian won the 1975 Tour de France points classification as well as stages in all three Grand Tours. In all, he won 111 professional races. His victories are notable because this was the era of Eddie Merckx, Patrick Sercu, Franco Bitossi and Roger de Vlaeminck.

He was nicknamed Rik-3, after former Belgian racers Rik van Steenbergen and Rik van Looy. His father raced professionally as well.

Van Linden was not only a formidable road man, he was a capable track rider, earning both Belgian Derny and Omnium championships. Teamed with Felice Gimondi, he also won the Milan Six-Day in 1977.

He race professionally from 1971 until 1983.

Major victories:

1968: Belgian junior road championship
1971: Paris-Tours
1972: Tour de France stage 2
1973: 2 stages Giro d'Italia; Paris-Tours
1974: 2 stages Vuelta a España; Giro di Sardegna
1975: Giro d'Italia stage 5; Tour de France points classification, winning 3 stages; Milano-Vignola
1976: 2 stages Giro d'Italia; Milano-Vignola
1977: Giro d'Italia stage 2A; Milano-Torino;
1978: 3 stages Giro d'Italia; Milano-Vignola; Milano 6-Day

Professional Teams:

1971: Hertekamp-Magniflex
1972. Van Cauter-Magniflex-de Gribaldy
1973: Rokado
1974: Ijsboerke-Colner
1975-1977: Bianchi-Campagnolo
1978-1979: Bianchi-Faema
1980: DAF Truck-Lejeune
1981: Boule d'Or
1982: Hoonved-Bottecchia
1983: Batavus-Jos Meesters

Nickname: Rik-3

Photos:

Van Linden in 1973 when he rode for Rokado

Another shot of Van Linden in '73

1975 Giro d'Italia stage 6: Roger de Vlaeminck beats Rik van Linden

Jacques Esclassan (with BP shoulder patches) just beats van Linden in 1975 Tour de France stage 4 in Le Mans. Note the classic mid-70s Peugeot PX-10 Esclassan is riding with the Mafac centerpull brakes. It's the legs!

Beating Patrick Sercu in a mid-1970s Milano-Vignola.

Van Linden in the mid 1970s

Rik (Henri in the picture) and his younger brother Alex van Linden

Rik van Linden (front) in the 1979 Giro d'Italia stage 8 San Marino timed hill climb

Another shot of the same stage.

Van Linden in 1982

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