"The KERFF Route" In the footsteps of cycling legend Marcel Kerff

Unique 45 km journey with the inspiring story of the Kerff family in the background. In summer, you can take the bike ferry in Eijsden (from 10 am), in winter via junctions 76 - 77 - 420 - 1 - 14 - 13 ... (6 km extra...)

Marcel Kerff (Sint-Martens-Voeren, June 2 1866 - Moelingen, August 7 1914) was a Belgian professional cyclist from 1896 to 1904.

The only race Kerff won was the 48 hours of Antwerp in 1900. Additionally, he achieved several honorary places. He finished ninth in Bordeaux-Paris in 1896, tenth and sixth in Paris-Roubaix in 1897 and 1899 respectively, second in Brussels-Roubaix in 1901 and fourth in the only edition of Marseille-Paris in 1902 over a distance of 938 kilometers.

The following year, in 1903, he finished sixth in the overall standings of the first edition of the Tour de France as the first Belgian before Julien Lootens. Kerff finished sixth in the first stage from Paris to Lyon over 467 kilometers, 1 hour and 42 minutes behind stage winner Maurice Garin. In the second stage from Lyon to Marseille over 374 km, Kerff finished seventh, almost 40 minutes behind Hippolyte Aucouturier, who abandoned in the first stage. Since participants could register separately for each stage, he was allowed to participate again in the next stages, but did not compete in the overall standings anymore. Kerff finished just seven minutes behind Garin, who finished fourth and maintained his lead. The third stage from Marseille to Toulouse over 423 km was also won by Aucouturier. Kerff finished tenth, more than an hour behind Garin. The shortest stage from Toulouse to Bordeaux over 268 km was won solo by the Swiss Charles Laeser. Garin finished in a chasing group just four minutes later. Kerff finished sixteenth, an hour behind. The last two stages were won by Garin, who strengthened his lead. Kerff finished eighth and tenth respectively, both times about an hour behind. Over a total of 2428 kilometers, Kerff took 100 hours and 25 minutes. In the overall standings, he finished sixth with nearly six hours behind final winner Garin. Lootens was the second Belgian in seventh place with an eight and a half hour deficit.

Monument for the Hanged of Moelingen including Marcel Kerff.

During the German invasion in Belgium during the First World War in August 1914, Marcel Kerff went to take a look at the German army camp in Moelingen. He was accused of spying for the Germans, was arrested, tortured, had his tongue cut out, and was hanged along with five others on August 7, 1914. Near the place where he died, there is a monument for the Hanged of Moelingen. On August 7, 2019, 105 years after his death, a memorial plaque was unveiled at the monument in honor of Kerff.[1]

Two brothers of Marcel Kerff, Charles and Leopold, also became professional riders. Charles Kerff died in 1902 under circumstances that were never clarified during Marseille-Paris, in which Marcel finished fourth.