Karel Kaers

Karel Kaers, born in Vosselaar, Belgium, 3 June 1914 – died Antwerp, 20 December 1972 was a professional cyclist with 30 wins. In 1934 he became the youngest world road champion, winning in Leipzig at 20. He also won the Ronde van Vlaanderen in 1939, and the Belgian national championship in 1937.

Lance Armstrong is frequently described as the youngest world champion. In fact, he was only the third youngest road champion when he took the rainbow jersey in Oslo in 1993. Armstrong was two weeks short of 22; Kaers had just turned 20. Jean-Pierre Monseré was three weeks short of 22 when he became champion in Leicester on August 16, 1970.

Palmares

;1930: BEL U17 Road Race Champion;1931-1932: BEL U19 Sprint Champion;1934: flagiconUCI World Road Race Champion: 3rd, National Sprint Championship;1935 - Francis Pélissier: 3rd, National Sprint Championship;1936 - Colin: 1st, 6 Days of Paris (with Albert Billiet): 3rd, National Sprint Championship;1937 - Alcyon, Bury: BEL Road Race Champion: 1st, Circuit de Paris: 3rd, National Sprint Championship;1938 - Alcyon, Bury: 1st, Stage 1, Paris-Saint Etienne;1939 - Alcyon: BEL Pursuit Champion: 1st, Ronde van Vlaanderen: 1st, 6 Days of London (with Omer De Bruycker): 1st, 6 Days of Copenhague (with Omer De Bruycker): 3rd, National Sprint Championship;1940 - Alcyon: 1st, 6 Day of Brussels (with Omer De Bruycker): 2nd, National Demi-Fond Championship;1941: 1st, Omloop der Vlaamse Gewesten: 2nd, National Sprint Championship;1942: 1st, 3 Days of Antwerp (with Achiel Bruneel: 2nd, National Omnium Championship;1944 - A. Trialoux;1947 - Magali