Organisation | Memorial Hans Winters

- Memorial Hans Winters -

The Beverbeek Classic, Memorial Hans Winters is an international UCI 1.2
race, staged in commemoration of Hans Winters, a promising
cyclist of Hamont-Achel.

Born on 29th October 1975, Hans was already at an early age interested in the cycling sport. With his very first bike, Hans regularly trained in De Bever recreation area, a green zone in Northern Limburg that is currently the scene of the annual Memorial Hans Winters race

At the age of 11, Hans joined Valkenswaard-based (NL) T.W.C. De Kempen, a club known for its comprehensive youth training programme. Later he joined other clubs like the Noord-Limburgse Wielerclub. Hans finally joined the welsh Pesant Club Liegeois, with which he participated in many races in France, like the Four Day Tour of Aisne, the Tour de la Gironde and the Tour de la Vendée.

During his cycling carreer Hans could add many remarkable performances to his record of achievements : he was first year "Debutant of the Year" and first Limburger (and 7th overall) in the Debutant Belgian Championship in Halanzy behind Frank Vandenbroucke and Glenn D'Hollander. As a second year debutant Hans became 6th in the Belgian Championship in Buggenhout. Hans also performed excellent during the Eupen - La Calamine race, finishing second behind Rik Verbruggen.

Capable of a very fast end sprint Hans performed on the indoor track cycling with a the Limburg selection. Yet, most of all he prefered participating in major races like Liège - La Gleize, E3 Prize Harelbeke, Ipres Kattenkoers. After the 1996 Liège - Bastogne - Liège medical conditions forced Hans to give up his promising cycling carreer.

While performing his daytime job as a postman, Hans was fatally struck by a heart attack. Resuscitation efforts were in vain and Hans died on 22nd August 1996 at the age of nearly 21 years.

To commemorate Hans, the first Memorial Hans Winters was staged in February 1997.