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Gallery: 25 years of Landbouwkrediet

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Cobbles, crosswinds and Colnagos

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Many Lambouwkrediet riders tackled Oude Kwaremont in the team's 25 year history.

Many Lambouwkrediet riders tackled Oude Kwaremont in the team's 25 year history. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Climbing the Kemmelberg in the 2010 Three Days of de Panne.

Climbing the Kemmelberg in the 2010 Three Days of de Panne. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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The distinctive dark green at the 2010 GP Costa degli Etruschi.

The distinctive dark green at the 2010 GP Costa degli Etruschi. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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World champion Sven Nys

World champion Sven Nys (Image credit: Photopress.be)
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No more scenic Dutch windmills for Crelan-Eupany.

No more scenic Dutch windmills for Crelan-Eupany. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Davy Commeyne, Bert De Waele, Kevin Claeys, Baptiste Planckaert and Sven Vanthourenhout at the Landbouwkrediet-Euphony presentation.

Davy Commeyne, Bert De Waele, Kevin Claeys, Baptiste Planckaert and Sven Vanthourenhout at the Landbouwkrediet-Euphony presentation. (Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)
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David Boucher [centre] climbing the Muur van Geraardsbergen.

David Boucher [centre] climbing the Muur van Geraardsbergen. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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The Muur van Geraardsbergen being tackled in 2008.

The Muur van Geraardsbergen being tackled in 2008. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Tomas Vaitkus and Sergey Lagutin back in 2004.

Tomas Vaitkus and Sergey Lagutin back in 2004. (Image credit: Tim Maloney)
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Popovych, Steels and Durand headlined the team in 2004.

Popovych, Steels and Durand headlined the team in 2004. (Image credit: Tim Maloney)
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Tom Steels rode for Landbouwkrediet-Colnago in 2004.

Tom Steels rode for Landbouwkrediet-Colnago in 2004. (Image credit: Luc Claessen)
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The full Landbouwkrediet-Colnago team for 2004.

The full Landbouwkrediet-Colnago team for 2004. (Image credit: Tim Maloney)
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Jacky "Dudu" Durand speaks to the media at the start of 2004.

Jacky "Dudu" Durand speaks to the media at the start of 2004. (Image credit: Tim Maloney)
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Bert De Waele crests the Cauberg ahead of Damiano Cunego in 2010.

Bert De Waele crests the Cauberg ahead of Damiano Cunego in 2010. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Filip Meirhaeghe leads Johan Van Summeren in the 2007 Tour of Flanders.

Filip Meirhaeghe leads Johan Van Summeren in the 2007 Tour of Flanders. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Jan Kuyckx in the forest of Arenberg at Paris-Roubaix in 2008.

Jan Kuyckx in the forest of Arenberg at Paris-Roubaix in 2008. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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The Muur de Huy in 2008.

The Muur de Huy in 2008. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Tackling the Patersberg in the 2010 Tour of Flanders.

Tackling the Patersberg in the 2010 Tour of Flanders. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Nico Sijmens wins the 2004 GP Pino Cerami.

Nico Sijmens wins the 2004 GP Pino Cerami. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Lambouwkrediet ride the front at the 2003 GP Costa degli Etruschi.

Lambouwkrediet ride the front at the 2003 GP Costa degli Etruschi. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Lambouwkrediet were regulars at the Three Days of de Panne, here rider's are climbing through Valkenburg.

Lambouwkrediet were regulars at the Three Days of de Panne, here rider's are climbing through Valkenburg. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Lambouwkrediet were well acquainted with the pavé of Northern France.

Lambouwkrediet were well acquainted with the pavé of Northern France. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Lambouwkrediet-Tonissteiner climbing the Gulperberg at the 2008 Amstel Gold Race.

Lambouwkrediet-Tonissteiner climbing the Gulperberg at the 2008 Amstel Gold Race. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Jan Kuyckx wins the opening stage at Etoile de Besseges in 2008.

Jan Kuyckx wins the opening stage at Etoile de Besseges in 2008. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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2004 Team stars (L to R): Jacky Durand, Yaroslav Popovych, Ernesto Colnago and Gerard Bulens.

2004 Team stars (L to R): Jacky Durand, Yaroslav Popovych, Ernesto Colnago and Gerard Bulens. (Image credit: Tim Maloney)
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Koen Barbe before the 2012 Tour of Flanders.

Koen Barbe before the 2012 Tour of Flanders. (Image credit: Photopress.be)
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The Landbouwkrediet Colnago team bikes before the 2011 Amstel Gold Race.

The Landbouwkrediet Colnago team bikes before the 2011 Amstel Gold Race. (Image credit: Stephen Farrand)
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Yuriy Metlushenko wins the 2004 GP Costa degli Etruschi.

Yuriy Metlushenko wins the 2004 GP Costa degli Etruschi. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Francesco Casagrande leads Yaroslav Popovych on Monte Zoncolon.

Francesco Casagrande leads Yaroslav Popovych on Monte Zoncolon. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Stefano Garzelli leads Raimondas Rumsas and Yaroslav Popovych.

Stefano Garzelli leads Raimondas Rumsas and Yaroslav Popovych. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Yaroslav Popovych holding onto Marco Pantani in the 2003 Giro.

Yaroslav Popovych holding onto Marco Pantani in the 2003 Giro. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Yaroslav Popovych time trialling towards a podium finish at the 2003 Giro.

Yaroslav Popovych time trialling towards a podium finish at the 2003 Giro. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Yaroslav Popovych leading an elite group during the 2003 Giro.

Yaroslav Popovych leading an elite group during the 2003 Giro. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Yaroslav Popovych tackling Monte Zoncolan at the 2003 Giro.

Yaroslav Popovych tackling Monte Zoncolan at the 2003 Giro. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Dirk Bellemakers at the 2009 Amstel Gold Race.

Dirk Bellemakers at the 2009 Amstel Gold Race. (Image credit: DCP/Bert Geerts)
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Sven Nys' 2008 Landbouwkrediet-Tonnisteiner Colnago C50 Cross.

Sven Nys' 2008 Landbouwkrediet-Tonnisteiner Colnago C50 Cross. (Image credit: Ben Atkins)
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Pauly Burke at the GP Pino Cerami, Belgium, 2001.

Pauly Burke at the GP Pino Cerami, Belgium, 2001. (Image credit: Jeff Jones)
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Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet)

Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) (Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
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Team Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner

Team Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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The team in Anderlecht.

The team in Anderlecht. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Belgian Bert Scheirlinckx (Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner) pushed hard, but finished down in 133rd spot.

Belgian Bert Scheirlinckx (Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner) pushed hard, but finished down in 133rd spot. (Image credit: DCP/Bert Geerts)
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Colnago are once again the bike sponsor of the Landbouwkrediet team, the C-50 the team's weapon of choice.

Colnago are once again the bike sponsor of the Landbouwkrediet team, the C-50 the team's weapon of choice. (Image credit: Luc Claessen/Cyclingnews.com)
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A trio of Landbouwkrediet lads before the stage.

A trio of Landbouwkrediet lads before the stage. (Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)
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The Landbouwkrediet Colnago bikes await the riders

The Landbouwkrediet Colnago bikes await the riders (Image credit: Stephen Farrand)
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Sven Nys approaches the short run.

Sven Nys approaches the short run. (Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
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British neo-pro Steve Cummings

British neo-pro Steve Cummings (Image credit: Luc Claessen/Cyclingnews.com)
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Tom Steels spent two years with the Landbouwkrediet - Colnago team. Pictured here in 2003

Tom Steels spent two years with the Landbouwkrediet - Colnago team. Pictured here in 2003 (Image credit: Sirotti)
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The unmistakable three-leaf clover adorns the C-50's headtube.

The unmistakable three-leaf clover adorns the C-50's headtube. (Image credit: Luc Claessen/Cyclingnews.com)
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Colnago were one of the pioneers of quality lugged carbon frames.

Colnago were one of the pioneers of quality lugged carbon frames. (Image credit: Luc Claessen/Cyclingnews.com)
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Once again Landbouwkrediet-Euphony will be on Colnagos.

Once again Landbouwkrediet-Euphony will be on Colnagos. (Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)
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Crelan-Euphony's Colnago C59 Team Edition sets off for the start line at Scheldeprijs.

Crelan-Euphony's Colnago C59 Team Edition sets off for the start line at Scheldeprijs. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)

The final stage of the Tour of Taihu on Sunday will mark the last hurrah for the Crelan-Euphany team. Former team member and multiple stage winner at this year's race in China, Yuriy Metlushenko, has already paid tribute to one of the pillars of Northern European racing over the last quarter century, and now it's our turn.

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The team was originally known as Saxon in 1992. Three years later, Tönnisteiner became the headline sponsor and were replaced by Landbouwkrediet in 2001. In its final season the team was known as Crelan-Euphony. Although not making WorldTour headlines year in year out, any riders who have done a racing apprenticeship in Belgium know that when Landbouwkrediet move towards the front in a pro-kermesse, things are about to get serious.

As part of the team's long relationship with Colnago they have also become synonymous with Ernesto Colnago's famous three leaf clover as well some of his iconic framesets such as the carbon lugged C-50.

Aside from delivering road riders like Yaroslav Popovych to a podium finish at the Giro in 2003, the Belgian team has remained ardent supporters of Cyclo-cross with multiple World Champion and World Cup winner Sven Nys flying the flag for the team since 2008.

To pay tribute in our own way, we've scoured the Cyclingnews annals to bring back a few memories of one of the teams that professional cycling will miss.