The water bottles, caps and gloves - 2
ITEM N° 717
FUENTE José Manuel (E)
(30.09.1945 – 18.07.1996)
Signed promotional cap
Nicknamed ‘El Tarangu’, José Manuel Fuente was one of the most spectacular Spanish climbers of the 1970s. A professional from 1970 to 1976, he won the Vuelta a España twice, in 1972 and 1974. He also distinguished himself in the Giro d’Italia, where his numerous attacks in the mountains enabled him to win several stages and four consecutive King of the Mountains classifications, from 1971 to 1974.
An attacking rider with a generous spirit, Fuente notably rode for the famous Spanish team KAS. His daring style and his duels with Eddy Merckx helped to make him one of the great figures of cycling in his era.
The item presented here is a promotional cap bearing the name ‘FUENTE’, decorated in rainbow colours and featuring the Spanish champion’s signature. In the absence of any evidence to confirm its use in competition, it is preserved as a promotional and commemorative item associated with his career.
This cap belongs to the Noël Grégoire Collections and keeps alive the memory of an exceptional climber, who died prematurely in 1996 at the age of 50.
ITEM N° 144
HINAULT Bernard (F)
(14.11.1954)
A pair of ‘La Vie Claire’ gloves worn in 1986
Nicknamed ‘le Blaireau’, Bernard Hinault is one of the greatest champions in the history of cycling. A professional from 1975 to 1986, he won five Tours de France, three Giro d’Italia and two Vuelta a España. His honours also include the 1980 World Road Cycling Championship title and prestigious classics such as Paris–Roubaix, Liège–Bastogne–Liège and the Tour of Lombardy.
In 1986, during the final season of his career, Bernard Hinault raced for the La Vie Claire team. He finished second in the Tour de France behind his team-mate Greg LeMond, having won three stages, including the now-famous Alpe d’Huez stage.
The pair of gloves shown here were worn by Bernard Hinault in 1986. These short gloves feature the characteristic colours of La Vie Claire — red, yellow, blue and grey — inspired by the graphic style of Piet Mondrian. They also bear the team’s name and its stylised emblem.
Housed in the Noël Grégoire Collections, these gloves are a particularly evocative memento of the Breton champion’s final year of competition. Their visible wear and tear serves as a reminder that they were, above all, genuine racing kit, used by Bernard Hinault at the end of an exceptional career.
ITEM N° 146
HINAULT Bernard (F)
(14.11.1954)
‘La Vie Claire’ cap worn in 1986
A leading figure in French cycling, Bernard Hinault remains the last French rider to have won the Tour de France, in 1985. Nicknamed ‘le Blaireau’ (the Badger) for his determination and fighting spirit, his honours include five Tour de France victories, three Giro d’Italia titles, two Vuelta a España titles and a world road cycling championship title.
The 1986 season marked the final year of his professional career. Riding for La Vie Claire, Hinault contested his final Tour de France, finishing in second place behind his team-mate Greg LeMond. Ever the attacking rider, he won three stages and wore the yellow jersey one last time.
The cap shown here was worn by Bernard Hinault in 1986. Made from white canvas, it features the name and emblem of La Vie Claire, as well as the team’s characteristic geometric red, yellow, blue and grey stripes. This instantly recognisable design is inspired by the work of the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian.
Signs of wear and the slight deterioration of the fabric bear witness to the history of this authentic piece of kit. Preserved within the Noël Grégoire Collections, this cap evokes the final season of an exceptional champion and one of the most iconic teams in 1980s cycling.
