In doing so, the 27-year-old Omega Pharma-Lotto rider became Belgium’s first top-five Tour de France finisher since Claude Criquielion in 1986. The result will likely propel him to the sort of stardom enjoyed by classics riders like Tom Boonen and Philippe Gilbert.

While Spanish winner Alberto Contador and runner-up, Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck, were the two dominant riders in the Tour, Van Den Broeck’s performance raised eyebrows all round – including the Herentals- born man himself, who was only aiming to make the top ten.

Van Den Broeck, who finished just 6’54” behind Contador in the final rankings, won the World Junior Time Trial Championship in 2001, came sixth in the 2008 Tour of Italy, and 15th in the 2009 Tour de France.

Mario Aerts, 35, also from Herentals, was the first Belgian in the King of the Mountains rankings, coming in 12th, and 33rd overall. Jurgen Roelandts, 25, from Asse, was the leading Belgian in the green jersey rankings for sprint points, coming in ninth, and 120th overall. And Francis De Greef, 25, from Rumst, was the top Belgian in the white jersey rankings for younger riders, coming in 11th, and 72nd overall.

The other successful Flemish in the Tour include Duffel-born Kevin De Weert, 28, who came in 18th overall; Johan Vansummeren, 29, from Lommel, who was 30th; and Jurgen Van de Walle, 33, from Eernegem, who was 63rd.