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Gustaaf DeloorBelgian road cyclist, winner of the first two Vuelta a España super-stage races.
Date of Birth: 24.06.1913
Country:  Belgium |
Content:
- Early Career and Vuelta a España Triumphs
- World War II and Captivity
- Post-War Life and Return to Belgium
Early Career and Vuelta a España Triumphs
Gustave Deloor, a Belgian road cyclist, embarked on his professional career in 1931 with a third-place finish in the Stekene race. His breakthrough moment came in 1935 when he claimed victory in the inaugural edition of the Vuelta a España. Despite a fierce battle with Mariano Cañardo, Cañardo suffered a fall on the penultimate stage, gifting Deloor the overall triumph.
The following year, the Vuelta was extended to a week, and Deloor once again emerged victorious, this time ahead of his older brother Alfons. The race took place against the backdrop of escalating unrest in Spain, which eventually erupted into the Spanish Civil War, leading to the suspension of the Vuelta for several years.
World War II and Captivity
Deloor's career was prematurely curtailed by the outbreak of World War II. He was stationed at Fort Eben-Emael, which was captured by German paratroopers in 1940. Deloor was taken as a prisoner of war and interned at a camp in Hammerstein, Germany. However, his love for cycling proved beneficial when a German officer who enjoyed the sport assigned him to kitchen duty.
Post-War Life and Return to Belgium
After the war, Deloor returned to Belgium, only to find his home had been looted. Seeking a fresh start, he relocated to the United States, settling in New York for a decade before moving to Los Angeles. In 1966, his wife passed away, but he later remarried. Deloor returned to his homeland in 1980.
