Rik Van Looy, a legendary figure in the world of cycling who achieved notable success as a racer, has passed away at the age of 90, according to an announcement made by the Belgian cycling federation on Wednesday.

With a career that flourished from the late 1950s, Van Looy solidified his status as the premier cyclist in Belgium before the emergence of Eddy Merckx, who is often regarded as the greatest cyclist in the sport’s history.

Throughout his career, he left an indelible mark by winning two world championships and tallying an impressive eight prestigious “monument” classics. His victories in these classics included three wins at Paris-Roubaix, two at the Ronde van Vlaanderen, along with single victories in major races such as Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Lombardy, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Achieving a grand slam in cycling is a formidable challenge, as each classic race requires different skill sets, ranging from sprinting to climbing capabilities, as well as the ability to navigate difficult cobblestone paths. Van Looy stands alongside only two other riders—Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck—who have managed to accomplish this feat.

His world championship titles were claimed in 1960 and 1961. Interestingly, despite winning 39 stages in Grand Tour events, he fell short of securing the overall title in the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, or Vuelta a España.

The Belgian cycling federation highlighted that Van Looy achieved over 450 race victories throughout his illustrious career, which spanned from 1953 until his retirement in 1970.