A1. Lemond’s best finish in Ghent-Wevelgem was 9th, in 1984 as reigning World Champion behind Italian Guido Bontempi in a field sprint. In Flanders, he was 7th in the extremely wet and cold 1985 edition behind solo winner Eric Vanderaerden of Belgium. Conditions were so difficult that year that only 24 riders finished! Greg had several strong rides in Roubaix, but his best was 1985 where he finished 4th, just pipped by Sean Kelly on the velodrome for the final podium spot as his former teammate Marc Madiot of France won.
A2. George Hincapie narrowly won Ghent-Wevelgem in 2001 in a small group sprint.
A3. Swiss strongman Fabian Cancellara did the double back in 2013. The last Belgian was Tom Boonen in 2012, who also won both in 2005.
A4. Only one! Rik Van Looy, nicknamed “The Emperor” won all three back in 1962. The rider who succeeded and ultimately eclipsed him, his compatriot Eddy Merckx, came close on two occasions…1970 and 1973. In both of these years, Merckx won Ghent and Roubaix but placed third in Flanders. Of note, Van Looy is one of only three riders (all Belgian) who have triumphed in all five monuments. The others are Roger De Vlaeminck and…you guessed it, Eddy Merckx!
A5. Tom “Tommeke” Boonen and Roger “The Gypsy” De Vlaeminck, who both won Paris-Roubaix four times. The Gypsy took the Queen of the Classics in 1972, 1974, 1975, and 1977 while Tommeke took the cobbled trophy in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2012.
