Prominent figure in Belgian motorsport, Walter Godefroot, past racing driver and team manager, passes away at 82 years old.
In a sad turn of events, the cycling world mourns the loss of Walter Godefroot, a legendary figure who made significant contributions to the sport as both a racer and a team manager. Godefroot, affectionately known as 'the bulldog of Flanders', passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025, at the age of 82.
Born in Gent, Belgium, Godefroot began his career as a racer in the 1960s, quickly emerging as an early rival for Eddy Merckx. He won the Belgian National Championships, Liege, and Roubaix, and even claimed a bronze medal in the 1964 Olympic road race.
Godefroot's racing career saw him win a total of 155 victories, racing for several teams including Flandria, Salvarani, and Peugeot. Some of his most notable achievements include winning the Tour de France points classification in 1970, a stage of the 1977 Giro d'Italia, and two stages of the 1971 Vuelta a España. He also added two prestigious Monuments to his palmares by winning the Tour of Flanders twice and Paris-Roubaix.
In 1977, Godefroot retired from racing and opened a bicycle shop with his wife. However, he returned to top-level cycling in 1991 as manager of Telekom. Under his guidance, the team grew into one of the biggest in the sport, winning two Tours de France with Bjarne Riis and Jan Ullrich.
Godefroot worked as a manager for the Telekom/T-Mobile team from the 1990s to 2005, after which Olaf Ludwig took over as the team manager. He also worked as a manager at Astana before retiring after the 2007 season. After his retirement, he continued to work as an advisor for Astana in 2006 and 2007. Godefroot withdrew from pro racing completely after his advisory role at Astana.
Godefroot's impact on cycling extends far beyond his time as a racer and team manager. He will be remembered as a tenacious competitor, a dedicated manager, and a true legend of the sport. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
Read also:
- Lu Shiow-yen's Challenging Position as Chair of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Under Scrutiny in Donovan's Analysis
- Tough choices on August 13, 2025 for those born under Aquarius? Consider the advantages and disadvantages to gain guidance
- Microbiome's Impact on Emotional States, Judgement, and Mental Health Conditions
- Restaurant staff allegedly requires Minnesota teenager to validate her gender for bathroom access.
