Groene Leeuw

Groene Leeuw was founded in the 1930s by Adolphe De Kimpe in Deinze, East Flanders making all styles of bicycles including racing bicycles.

Between 1940 and 1942, the brand sponsored individual riders, including Tour of Flanders winner Briek Schotte.

Shortly after the war in 1945 Adolphe’s son Albert joined the company and they started sponsoring a professional team that competed successfully in major tours throughout the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s gaining top three Grand Tour placings and having the 1963 World Road Champion Benoni Beheyt. Benoni beat the odds on favourite Rik Van Looy into second place that day.

In 1966 Adolphe passed away and the company ceased sponsorship of the pro team shortly afterwards.

The company continued to produce bicycles until the end of the 1970s when it finally closed it’s doors.