Women’s Cycling – 2
PIECE N° 501
BOST Josiane (F)
(07.04.1956)
Her 1977 Road World Champion’s jersey and her 1976 French Pursuit Vice-Champion’s medal
Josiane Bost is a former French cyclist and a leading figure in women’s cycling during the 1970s. At a time when women’s competitions still received limited recognition and media coverage, she established herself as one of the finest French representatives of her generation, both on the road and on the track.
The high point of her career came in 1977, when she became Road World Champion. This victory earned her the prestigious rainbow jersey, the universal symbol of the world title in cycling. She thus succeeded the Dutch rider Keetie van Oosten-Hage on the list of champions and etched her name into the history of French women’s cycling.
Josiane Bost also excelled on the track. The collection notably includes her 1976 French Pursuit Vice-Champion’s medal, a testament to her versatility and her skills in two disciplines requiring very different abilities.
The jersey on display here is her 1977 Road World Champion’s jersey. Beyond its sporting value, this jersey is a valuable testament to French women’s cycling in the 1970s. Together with the 1976 medal and photographic records of Josiane Bost, it helps to preserve the memory of a champion and an important period in the development of cycling.
PIECE N° 604
BRONZINI Giorgia (I)
(03..08.1983)
Her Italian national team jersey worn at the 2014 Road World Championships
Giorgia Bronzini is one of the most successful champions in Italian cycling. Fast, experienced and blessed with a remarkable sense of positioning, she established herself as one of the best sprinters of her generation.
Crowned world champion in the points race on the track in 2009, she went on to become world road champion on two consecutive occasions: in 2010 in Geelong, then in 2011 in Copenhagen.
During her long professional career, which continued until 2018, she also won eight stages of the Women’s Giro d’Italia and numerous international races. After retiring from competitive sport, she passed on her experience by becoming a sports director.
The Women’s Road World Championships were held on 27 September 2014 in Ponferrada, Spain. Giorgia Bronzini was caught up in a major crash during the second of the seven laps of the circuit. Despite this incident, she continued the race and took part in the final sprint for the title. She finished in a remarkable fourth place, behind France’s Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Germany’s Lisa Brennauer and Sweden’s Emma Johansson.
This jersey links a two-time world champion to one of the most courageous moments of her career. The tears in it bear direct witness to the difficulties she faced during the race and to her determination
PIECE N° 605
BRONZINI Giorgia (I)
(03.08.1983)
Winner’s trophy for the first stage of the 2009 Women’s Tour of Qatar
Giorgia Bronzini is one of the greatest Italian sprinters in history. Fast, experienced and possessing a remarkable sense of positioning, she has excelled on both the road and the track.
World champion in the points race on the track in 2009, she went on to win two consecutive world titles on the road, in 2010 and 2011. Her honours list also includes eight stage wins in the Women’s Giro d’Italia and numerous international successes.
This item is the trophy awarded to Giorgia Bronzini for her victory in the first stage of the 2009 Women’s Tour of Qatar. Bronzini also won the third and final stage. She ultimately finished second in the general classification, just four seconds behind Kirsten Wild.
The object consists of a plinth and a dark wooden panel supporting a gilded decorative element. A metal plaque bears the inscription in English: ‘First Stage Winner’. Photographs of the official ceremony show the Italian champion receiving and presenting this very trophy.
This trophy bears witness both to a victory by Giorgia Bronzini and to the inaugural edition of a major event in the international development of women’s cycling.
The photographs of the prize-giving ceremony allow the object to be directly identified and reinforce its provenance. Presented in the Virtual Museum
