Kevin Van Impe (born 19 April 1981 in Aalst, East Flanders) is a retired Belgian professional road bicycle racer. His father is former cyclist Frank Van Impe, and his uncle is ex-cyclist Lucien Van Impe, winner of the 1976 Tour de France.
A routine out of competition drugs test performed on Van Impe caused controversy in March 2008. Van Impe was asked to give a sample for testing whilst at a crematorium making funeral arrangements for his deceased son, and was warned that failure to provide a sample would count as a refusal to give a sample, for which sanctions apply. Professional cyclists racing in the Paris–Nice and Tirreno–Adriatico performed demonstrations over the lack of respect shown to Van Impe.
Van Impe retired in March 2012, having only joined the Vacansoleil-DCM team in January of that year.
Read more about Kevin Van Impe: Palmares
Famous quotes containing the words kevin and/or van:
“Well, on the official record you’re my son. But on this post you’re just another trooper. You heard me tell the recruits what I need from them. Twice that I will expect from you.... You’ve chosen my way of life. I hope you have the guts enough to endure it. But put outa your mind any romantic ideas that it’s a way to glory. It’s a life of suffering and of hardship and uncompromising devotion to your oath and your duty.”
—James Kevin McGuinness, and John Ford. Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke (John Wayne)
“The first day that we landed upon that fatal shore
The planters they came round us full twenty score or more,
They rank’d us up like horses, and sold us out of hand
Then yok’d us unto ploughs, my boys, to plow Van
Dieman’s Land.”
—Unknown. Van Dieman’s Land (l. 9–12)