GHENT, BELGIUM - JUNE 30: Start / Walter Godefroot of Belgium ExPro-cyclist / Ghent City / during the 120th Belgian Road Championship 2019 - Individual Road Race - Elite Men a 223,8km race from Ghent to Ghent / #BKgent / @Stadgent / @BELCycling / on June 30, 2019 in Ghent, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)
Former Belgian cyclist and team manager Walter Godefroot has passed away at the age of 82 following a prolonged struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Godefroot, who was born in Gent, Belgium, is remembered for his remarkable achievements in the world of professional cycling, particularly during his active years from 1965 to 1979.
During his illustrious career, Godefroot secured an impressive 10 Tour de France stage victories. He also claimed the race’s points classification in 1970. His versatility as a cyclist was evident through his wins in prestigious events such as the Tour of Flanders (twice), Paris-Roubaix, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Notably, he earned an Olympic bronze medal in the road race at the 1964 Tokyo Games before turning professional.
Godefroot was considered a fierce competitor and an early rival to cycling icon Eddy Merckx. He achieved significant victories, including the Belgian National Championships in 1965, Liège in 1967, and Roubaix in 1969. His career also included winning stages in the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España, amassing a total of 155 victories while riding for teams like Flandria, Salvarani, and Peugeot.
Transition to Team Management
After retiring from competitive cycling in 1977, Godefroot opened a bicycle shop with his wife. His passion for the sport led him back into cycling management in 1991 with the Telekom team, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the team’s success. Under his leadership, Telekom transformed into one of the most formidable teams in cycling, achieving notable victories in the Tour de France with riders Bjarne Riis and Jan Ullrich.
Godefroot continued to influence the cycling world until he stepped down from his management role after the 2005 season. He briefly served as an advisor for the Astana team in 2006 and 2007 before completely withdrawing from professional cycling.
Known affectionately as “the bulldog of Flanders,” Godefroot leaves behind a rich legacy in the sport. His contributions have not only advanced competitive cycling but have also inspired future generations of cyclists. Godefroot died on September 1, 2025, leaving a profound impact on the cycling community.
