The water bottles, caps, musettes and gloves - 6
ITEM N° 724
"Fagor" team water bottle
Active in the peloton from 1966 to 1969
This plastic water bottle was used by the Spanish professional cycling team Fagor, which was active from 1966 to 1969 and was briefly known as Fagor–Fargas in 1968. The team was sponsored by the Basque household appliance co-operative Fagor and managed by Pedro Machain.
The bottle has a cylindrical turquoise body, topped by a rounded shoulder and a wide neck. Its upper section is reinforced by fine horizontal ribs designed to make it easier to grip. The red cap, fitted with a spout for quick drinking, could be unscrewed to fill and clean the container.
The name ‘FAGOR’, printed in large red letters, is still perfectly legible despite wear and tear. The colours of the water bottle are reminiscent of those of the jersey worn by the team’s riders during the second half of the 1960s.
The team’s line-up included Luis Ocaña, Domingo “Txomin” Perurena, Luis Otaño, Mariano Díaz and José María Errandonea. It competed in the major international races and enabled several of these champions to make their mark before going on to pursue their careers with other leading teams.
The scratches, dirt, discolouration of the plastic and partial fading of the markings bear witness to prolonged use. These marks have been preserved, as they form an essential part of the object’s history and authenticity.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this water bottle serves as a reminder of the growing presence of Spanish teams in international cycling in the late 1960s and the professional debuts of several big names in the peloton.
ITEM N° 725
"Mann" team water bottle
Active in the peloton from 1960 to 1970
This plastic water bottle was part of the kit of the Belgian professional cycling team Dr. Mann, founded in 1960. The team was sponsored by an Antwerp-based company specialising in, amongst other things, pharmaceutical products and painkillers. In 1966, the German radio and television manufacturer Grundig became its co-sponsor, giving rise to the name Mann–Grundig, which was used until 1970.
The object features an ivory-coloured, translucent plastic cylindrical body, topped by a rounded shoulder and a long neck. Several horizontal ribs reinforce the upper part and make it easier to grip. The cap is secured by a flexible fastener to prevent it from being lost during the race.
A wide central area, bordered by two black lines, simply bears the inscription ‘MANN’ in large letters. As there is no mention of ‘Grundig’ or a date, its exact year of use cannot be established. Its shape and design, however, suggest it dates from the 1960s.
The team included several renowned Belgian cyclists, amongst them Herman Van Springel, Georges Pintens, Daniel Van Ryckeghem, Jos Huysmans, Roger Rosiers and Willy In ’t Ven. Herman Van Springel notably finished second in the 1968 Tour de France, beaten by just 38 seconds by Jan Janssen.
The scratches, marks, discolouration of the plastic and wear to the lettering bear witness to prolonged use. These marks have been preserved, as they form an integral part of the object’s history and authenticity.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this water bottle is a valuable testament to Belgian professional cycling and to one of the most iconic teams of the late 1960s.
ITEM N° 726
“Werner TV” team water bottle
Active in the peloton from 1969 to 1972
This plastic water bottle belonged to the Spanish professional cycling team Werner TV, which was active from 1969 to 1972. Its main sponsor was Werner, a Spanish television manufacturer, which explains the inclusion of ‘TV’ in the team’s name.
The bottle has a turquoise-blue cylindrical body, topped by a rounded shoulder and a wide neck. The upper part is reinforced by fine horizontal ribs, making it easier to grip. The translucent cap features a spout allowing the cyclist to drink quickly and a clip designed to prevent it from being lost during the race.
The name ‘WERNER TV’ appears in large yellow letters painted on the body of the water bottle. Significant wear and tear on the markings now gives it an uneven appearance, but the sponsor’s name remains identifiable. Its shape and design suggest it dates from the early 1970s.
The team included several renowned Spanish cyclists, amongst them Agustín Tamames, Ramón Sáez, Vicente López Carril, Jesús Manzaneque and Luis Pedro Santamarina. It notably took part in the 1971 Tour de France and achieved several successes in the major Spanish stage races.
The scratches, marks, colour variations and partial fading of the lettering bear witness to prolonged use. These marks have been preserved, as they form an essential part of the object’s history and authenticity.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this water bottle serves as a reminder of the activities of Spanish professional teams at the turn of the 1970s and the growing importance of industrial sponsors within the peloton.
