The pennants, scarves, plates & certficates - 20
ITEM N°566
BRACKE Ferdinand (B)
(né le 25.05.1939)
His Safety Prize pennant, awarded during the 1977 Tour de France
A leading specialist in track cycling and time trials, Ferdinand Bracke remains a major figure in Belgian cycling. Holder of the world hour record in 1967, a two-time world champion in the individual pursuit and winner of the 1971 Vuelta a España, he competed in nine editions of the Tour de France and won two stages.
In 1977, Ferdinand Bracke contested his final Tour de France whilst riding for the Lejeune-BP team. During that edition, he was awarded the Safety Prize, an honorary distinction recognising his responsible behaviour, caution and adherence to the rules within the peloton and the Tour caravan.
Made from a pale yellow satin fabric, this pennant is edged with an elegant gold braid. It bears the inscriptions ‘Tour de France’, ‘Prix Sécurité’ and ‘1977’ in large red letters. Ferdinand Bracke’s signature, affixed at the bottom, reinforces the authenticity and personal character of this item.
Beyond sporting achievements, this award serves as a reminder that the Tour de France also recognised riders for their exemplary conduct and attitude on the race’s roads.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this signed pennant preserves the memory of Ferdinand Bracke’s final participation in the Tour de France and bears witness to the importance attached to safety in the history of the Grande Boucle.
ITEM N° 565
BRACKE Ferdinand (B)
(25.05.1939)
His ‘Prix de l’Amabilité’ pennant, awarded during the 1977 Tour de France
A leading specialist in track cycling and time trials, Ferdinand Bracke remains a prominent figure in Belgian cycling. Holder of the world hour record in 1967, a two-time world champion in the individual pursuit and winner of the 1971 Vuelta a España, he competed in nine editions of the Tour de France and won two stages.
In 1977, Ferdinand Bracke competed in his final Tour de France whilst riding for the Lejeune-BP team. During that race, he was awarded the Prix de l’Amabilité, an honorary distinction recognising his courtesy, approachability and exemplary behaviour towards other members of the Tour caravan.
Made from purple satin and edged with gold braid, this pennant bears the white inscriptions ‘Prix de l’Amabilité’, ‘BNP’ and ‘Tour de France 1977’. Its central emblem commemorates the partnership between the Banque Nationale de Paris and this special award.
This prize bears witness to an era when the Tour de France also awarded honours designed to highlight the human qualities of the riders, beyond their sporting achievements alone.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this historic pennant preserves the memory of Ferdinand Bracke’s final participation in the Tour de France and pays tribute to a champion who was appreciated as much for his talent as for his kindness.
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