Vulture Path

On Monday, March 15, 1971, world champion Monseré, 22 years old, lost his life on the Gierlebaan in Lille during the fair race in Retie. Jean-Pierre "Jempi" Monseré (Roeselare, September 8, 1948 – Lille, March 15, 1971) was a Belgian cyclist. He was active as a professional cyclist between 1969 and 1971 for Flandria. In 1970 he became world cycling champion in Leicester.

The drama in the Monseré family would not end here. 5 years later, on July 16, 1976, in the peaceful surroundings of the Rumbeekse star forest, Giovanni (the son of Jean-Pierre Monseré) went cycling with his cousin Tony. When he turned onto the Sterrebosdreef, the seven-year-old Giovanni was struck by an oncoming car. The boy, who was wearing a world champion jersey received from Freddy Maertens, was thrown several meters away. Giovanni was rushed to the hospital in Roeselare, but little help could be given; due to many internal bleeding injuries, it was a fearful wait to see how the situation would evolve. Around three o'clock the following night, Giovanni would pass away. Giovanni is buried alongside his father in Beveren.

Pascal Brackman