The cycling world has been paying its respects to Eric De Vlaeminck, the seven time cyclo-cross world champion, who died on December 4 aged 70.

De Vlaeminck’s record of seven ‘cross world titles is two more than his nearest rivals, with six of them coming in succession between 1968 and 1973. He was also Belgian champion on four occasions between 1967 and 1972.

While being considered the best ever in the world of cyclo-cross, the Belgian was no slouch on the road either, winning a stage of the Tour de France in 1968 and the general classification at the 1969 Belgium Tour.

Post-career, De Vlaeminck became coach of the Belgian cyclo-cross national team, overseeing a period of Belgian dominance in the sport before retiring in 2002.

De Vlaeminck, brother of four-time Paris-Roubaix winner Roger, suffered from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s in his later life, although the cause of his death has not been made public.

Members of the cycling world took to Twitter to pay their respects and share their favourite photos of De Vlaeminck.