Fluid Mechanics #3 ~ Jacky Durand

The 76th running of The Tour of Flanders was held on Sunday the 5th of April, 1992. 

For the first time in the Ronde van Vlaanderen, a rider from the early breakaway stayed ahead until the finish ~ that rider was Jacky Durand. 

The race started in Sint-Niklass and finished in Meerbeke, a total of 257km and featured 14 categorised climbs including the Paterberg, Muur-Kapelmuur and the Oude Kwaremont. 

Durand broke away with Thomas Wegmuller and two others after only a quarter of the race. There was 217km still to ride. 

By the time the escape reached the first climb their lead was 24 minutes. 

That day they had caught the peloton sleeping and there was no way back for them. 

On the final climb of the day, the Bosberg, the Frenchman Durand attacked and held a narrow lead to the finish. 

He eventually won by 48" seconds. 

Years later Durant was stopped for speeding. The Belgian policeman who came to his car said "You won Tour of Flanders in 92'" and let him drive on.

All words by Thom Barnett