The pennants, scarves, plates & certficates - 16
ITEM N°234
PAUWELS Eddy (B)
(02.05.1935 – 06.03.2017)
His Super-Combativity Prize pennant 1962 Tour de France
Born on 2 May 1935 in Bornem, in the province of Antwerp, Eddy Pauwels was a professional cyclist from 1958 to 1966. Enduring, aggressive and particularly at ease in long breakaways, he distinguished himself mainly on the roads of the Tour de France.
In 1962, Eddy Pauwels competed in the Tour de France as part of the Belgian Wiel’s–Groene Leeuw team. Through his numerous attacks and his consistent presence at the front of the race, he established himself as one of the key figures of that edition. On 4 July, he won the 11th stage between Bayonne and Pau in a solo breakaway. Eddy Pauwels then demonstrated his consistency in the Pyrenees and finished the Tour de France in tenth place in the general classification, 23 minutes and 4 seconds behind the winner, Jacques Anquetil.
In Paris, a jury of journalists awarded him the Super-Combativity Prize, recognising the rider deemed the most generous, the most enterprising and the most attacking throughout the competition. This distinction was not based solely on victories or the general classification. Above all, it recognised his attitude in the race, the frequency of his breakaways and his constant determination to liven up the stages. Eddy Pauwels was officially named the winner of this award for the 1962 edition.
The pennant on display here bears the inscriptions ‘Tour de France 1962’ and ‘1st Combativity Prize’. The Renault diamond emblem in the centre commemorates the sponsorship of this award by the French car manufacturer. The winner of the 1962 Super-Combativité award also received a cash prize and a Renault R8 car. The pennant served as the ceremonial and commemorative element of this important award. Made from ivory-coloured satin fabric, the item is edged with gold fringing. The names of *L’Équipe* and *Le Parisien Libéré*, newspapers associated with the organisation of the Tour, appear at the bottom.
The photograph shows the Belgian champion at the end of a stage, surrounded by the public and law enforcement officers. It illustrates the popular appeal of a combative rider, whose qualities were particularly appreciated on the roads of France.
This pennant is an exceptional testament to Eddy Pauwels’ brilliant performance in the 1962 Tour de France and to his title as the race’s most combative rider.
ITEM N° 593
PAUWELS Eddy (B)
(02.05.1935 – 06.03.2017)
His Martini Challenge pennant, won with the Belgian team at the 1959 Tour de France
Eddy Pauwels was one of the stalwarts of Belgian cycling in the 1950s and 1960s. An all-round rider, at ease on demanding routes, he took part in seven consecutive Tours de France between 1959 and 1965, winning four stages.
The 1959 Tour de France marked his first appearance in the Grande Boucle. Aged twenty-four at the time, Eddy Pauwels rode for the Belgian national team. He finished in a remarkable 11th place in the general classification, 22 minutes and 20 seconds behind the Spanish winner, Federico Bahamontes. That edition was still contested by national and regional teams. In the overall team classification, Belgium came out on top ahead of France. Eddy Pauwels thus contributed, from his very first Tour, to a significant Belgian team victory.
At that time, the Tour’s team classification was officially known as the ‘Challenge Martini’, named after the Martini company which sponsored the competition.
The pennant shown here is made of ivory-coloured satin, edged with a wide dark and gold fringe. In the centre are the red and black globe and the Martini brand emblem. The embroidered inscriptions read: ‘CHALLENGE MARTINI – TOUR DE FRANCE – 1959’. The lower part also bears a stylised signature, likely associated with Eddy Pauwels. However, this detail will need to be examined in person to determine whether it is an embroidered, printed or subsequently added signature. This pennant therefore does not commemorate an individual victory by Eddy Pauwels, but the overall victory of the Belgian national team in the team classification of the 1959 Tour de France. Its personal provenance nevertheless gives it particular historical value: it serves as tangible evidence of the Belgian rider’s first participation in the Tour de France
Eddy Pauwels went on to confirm his abilities in the Tour de France. Notably, he finished ninth in 1961, tenth in 1962, wore the yellow jersey for five days and won four stages during his career.
Thanks to its elegance, its condition and its direct link to the victorious Belgian team, this pennant is a remarkable memento of the 1959 Tour de France and of Eddy Pauwels’ debut in the world’s most prestigious cycling race.
ITEM N° 248
PLANCKAERT Walter (B)
(né le 08.04.1948)
His winner’s pennant from the points classification at the 1977 Four Days of Dunkirk
Born in Nevele, Belgium, Walter Planckaert comes from a famous family of cyclists, alongside his brothers Willy and Eddy. A professional from 1970 to 1985, he was an outstanding classics rider, performing particularly well on the Flemish roads.
His greatest success remains his victory in the 1976 Tour of Flanders, ahead of Francesco Moser. He also finished second in Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 1974 and won Across Belgium on two occasions.
The Four Days of Dunkirk is a stage race held in northern France, traditionally favouring all-rounders and classics specialists. The 1977 edition comprised six sectors spread over five days. Walter Planckaert won the first half-stage on the final day, between Poperinge and Dunkirk, ahead of his brother Willy. His consistent performance also saw him claim the points classification, whilst the Dutchman Gerrie Knetemann won the general classification.
The pennant shown here is made of ivory-coloured satin, edged with gold braid and suspended from a thin cord. The centre is adorned with the ‘Oh! les aubaines’ logo, the commercial partner for this award. A handwritten inscription, the author of which remains unidentified, also appears on the fabric. This pennant was an individual award presented to Walter Planckaert for his victory in the points classification. Unlike the general classification trophy, it recognised consistency and performances achieved across the various stage finishes.
The year 1977 was a particularly successful one for the Belgian cyclist. He also won the general classification of the Tour of Belgium, ‘À travers la Belgique’, the Grand Prix de Wallonie and several other races.
Walter Planckaert also took part in five Tours de France and won a stage in 1978, between Saint-Willebrord and Brussels. After his racing career, he became a team manager and continued his long-standing involvement in professional cycling.
Bearing inventory number N.G.248, this pennant bears witness to Walter Planckaert’s remarkable 1977 season and his success in races contested on the roads of the North.
