[CR]Flandria and Superior History

(Example: Humor:John Pergolizzi)

From: "Angel Garcia" <veronaman@comcast.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <002101c4de3f$a13382b0$63606c51@nonefpfvwek4mv>
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2004 18:21:15 -0500
Subject: [CR]Flandria and Superior History

As part of a review of a new Flandria bike, http://www.cyclingnews.com has written a small piece of the company history at http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2004/reviews/flandria. This published is:

"The Flandria Bicycle Manufacturing Company was founded by Belgian brothers Aimé and Remi Claeys in the early 1950s, capitalising on the post-war boom of bicycles and mopeds, which were the most viable means of transport at the time. But Aimé and Remi couldn't agree about the direction of their business, and eventually separated to become competitors. They did so by building a brick wall down the centre of the Flandria factory in Zedelgem! Aimé kept the Flandria name and Remi created a new brand, Superior, both brothers producing essentially the same goods under the same roof.

Flandria became a very popular brand and sponsored a pro team in the 1960s and '70s, which was one of the most successful teams in history. At its peak in the mid-1970s Flandria boasted Freddy Maertens, Michel Pollentier and Marc Demeyer in its ranks. Other top professionals to wear the red Flandria colours during their careers include Rik Van Looy, Roger and Erik De Vlaeminck, Walter Godefroot, Jean-Pierre Monsere, Johan De Muynck, Joop Zoetemelk, Herman Van Springel, and Sean Kelly, who began his professional career with the team in 1977.

While riding for Flandria, these riders won most of cycling's important races: World Road Championship, Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a España, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Amstel Gold Race, Championship of Zurich, Paris-Tours, Het Volk, Gent-Wevelgem, Flèche Wallonne, Paris-Nice and Dauphiné Libéré. Only the overall victory in the Tour de France eluded them, although Joop Zoetemelk did record two second places in the Tour while riding for Flandria.

In spite of all this success, the Flandria company went bankrupt in 1981 after the moped side of the business collapsed. Over 20 years later, a British company relaunched the brand, focusing exclusively on bicycles and frame manufacture. It's perhaps a little odd that Flandria bikes are now made in Great Britain, but the company intends to keep the flavour and quality of the originals intact."

Angel Garcia

Long Valley, NJ