47th SCHELDEPRIJS July 28

Eighty two riders show up in Bar Derby for the 47th Scheldeprijs. Soon after the start Jan Zagers and Jos Theuns are part of a crash and will need to leave the race. During the final the winner of 1958, Raymond Vrancken tries to break away. Schotenaar Emiel Severeyns replicates but must release fairly quickly. Wim van Est, Jos Sels and Jos Mariën are the first to join him. The four take a one minute lead but pulls the peloton and closes the gap to the four leaders. In the final lap Willy Butzen breaks away and wins the 47th Scheldeprijs with a small lead.

ROADMAP Schoten, Brecht, Rijkevorsel, Hoogstraten, Beerse, Lichtaart, Kasterlee, Geel, Mol, Tessenderlo, Olen, Herentals, Nijlen, Massenhoven, Broechem, Ranst, Wommelgem, Borsbeek, Wijnegem, Schoten (160 km) and three local laps of 17 km, 211 km total. RESULT 82 participants 1. Willy Butzen, Champion of Antwerp, 211 km in 5h37m; 2. Lucien Demunster at 100 meter; 3. Jef Van Bael; 4. Jan van Vliet (Ned); 5. Rik Van Looy at 20”; 6. Paul Borremans; 7. Gerrit Voorting (Ned); 8. Gentiel Saelens; 9. Rik Luyten; 10. Eduard Deboitselier; 11. Juul Mertens; 12. André Vlayen; 13. Marcel Hendrikx; 14. Jan Van Gompel; 15. Raymond Vrancken; 16. Alfons Vandenbrande; 17. Lode Anthonis; 18. Ex-aequo: Jos Mariën, Jan Callaerts, Frans Van Looveren; Marcel Buys, Karel Clerckx, Frans Daems, Willi Franssen (Dui), Jos Hendrickx, Nest Heyvaert, Jan Huyskens, Jean Laroy, Clement Leemans, Jos Mertens, Yvo Molenaers, Jos Sels, Emiel Severeyns, Frans Siroyt, Jan Storms, Willy Truye, Gilbert Van de Wiele, Fons Van den Brande, Wim van Est (Ned), Willy Vannitsen and Alfons Voordekkers.

Willy Butzen (°Edegem 27.02.1933-+Antwerpen 24.03.1997)

Willy was a talented young rider but never fully succeeded as professional. He was professional from 1959 until 1964 and drove in 1959 for -Mann and Dr.Mann. His most important results: 1959: winner Scheldeprijs, Drielandentrofee, O.L.V.Tielt 1960: winner third stage Driedaagse van Antwerpen, 3rd Schaal Sels, 8th Tour of 1961: winner Sint-Niklaas en Boom 1962: winner in Houtem, 4th Tour of Limburg, 6th Scheldeprijs

René Vermeiren