De Vlaeminck never failed a drugs test in his racing career but was treated after it for amphetamine addiction.

When he returned to racing, the Belgian federation would offer him a license for only a day at a time until it saw how his life would progress.

His re-establishment was complete, however, because he became the national cyclo-cross coach and led Belgium to a dominating period of international success.

He always complained, however, that while cyclo-cross brought Belgium its world championship medals, it was to road racing that the bulk of the funds were given.

His son Geert died, aged 26, of a heart attack in a cyclo-cross race while his father was watching.