Belgium mourns the late Ludo Dierckxsens: "He was loved by the entire peloton"

The news of Ludo Dierckxsens' (60) passing on Thursday came from the blue. The 'Breakawy king' of the turn of the century was participating in a charity ride in Belgium when he suddenly became unwell and first responders were unable to bring back the 1999 Belgian champion.

Johan Museeuw was heart-broken about the death of his friend and former colleague. "It is much too early," he told Sporza. "I remember Ludo as someone who always laughs."

The Belgian became popular also thanks to his fearless attacks and long breakaways. "He achieved his greatest victories that way. In our generation he was one of the greatest engines. He was a popular figure who always went through life cheerfully. Ludo turned pro very late, but he was loved by the entire peloton. He couldn't hurt a fly."

Former rider Kurt Van de Wouwer also responded to the sad news at Sporza. "Ludo was always cheerful and had an endless desire to attack. He always chose to attack. With or without results. He didn't care. Ludo had a huge goodwill factor anyway, also from his competitors. And as a teddy bear he was very popular with the fans."

Wilfried Peeters was Ludo Dierckxsens' training partner during his time as a pro. The two Belgians never rode together in the same team, but grew to be friends. "I'm rooted to the spot," Peeters responded to Het Nieuwsblad. "Ludo was an athletic, fit person. Only sixty years old, guys."

"We spent our entire youth together. I was able to become a professional quickly, it took him longer. When he came over from the amateurs, people still laughed at him, but that didn't last long. In the end, no one was laughing anymore."

Paul Herygers spent some time as Dierckxsens' teammate before the latter turned pro. "I still remember well how Ludo would announce at a briefing in the evening: 'Tomorrow I'm going to give it a go'. Yes, then you didn't sleep anymore. You were shaking in your bed because you knew he was going to tear it apart."