In 1939, as World War II loomed, organizing magazine Sportwereld merged with Het Nieuwsblad, a popular daily newspaper.[n 9][n 10] During the war, many sporting events were cancelled, but the Tour of Flanders continued to be organized in agreement with the German command.[n 11] The first wartime race in 1941 was won by Achiel Buysse. Because of road restrictions, the course was altered to poorly surfaced roads and paths, starting and finishing in Ghent and totalling just 198 km (123 mi).[31]