The pennants, scarves, plates & certficates - 7
ITEM N° 095
Jo DE ROO (NL)
(05.07.1937)
Paris–Tours winner’s pennant – 1962
On 7 October 1962, the Dutch cyclist Jo de Roo won the 56th edition of Paris–Tours, one of the great autumn classics on the cycling calendar. After a race covering 267 kilometres, he finished ahead of the Belgian Frans Melckenbeeck and world champion Benoni Beheyt.
Jo de Roo completed the race at a remarkable average speed of 44.903 km/h, setting a new speed record for a professional race of this distance. This performance earned him the prestigious Yellow Ribbon.
The pennant shown here bears the inscriptions ‘56th Paris–Tours – Trophée Rustines – L’Équipe and the City of Tours’. Made of red fabric, adorned with gold lettering and edged with fringes, it was presented to the winner at the end of the race.
Jo de Roo’s signature, affixed to the top of the pennant, reinforces the personal and historical significance of this item. The Dutch cyclist confirmed his attachment to this classic by also winning the following edition, in 1963.
Housed in the Noël Grégoire Collections, this pennant is a valuable testament to one of Jo de Roo’s most brilliant seasons, during which he also won the Bordeaux–Paris and the Tour of Lombardy in 1962.
ITEM N° 096
Jo DE ROO (NL)
(05.07.1937)
Bordeaux–Paris winner’s pennant – 1962
On 27 May 1962, Dutch cyclist Jo de Roo won the 61st edition of Bordeaux–Paris, one of the longest and most prestigious races in professional cycling. After 557 kilometres of racing, he crossed the finish line at the Parc des Princes ahead of Frenchman François Mahé and Belgian Marcel Janssens.
Ridden partly behind motorised pacemakers, this great classic demanded exceptional stamina. This victory marked Jo de Roo’s first major international success and signalled the start of a remarkable 1962 season, during which he also won Paris–Tours and the Tour of Lombardy.
The pennant shown here bears the inscriptions ‘61st Bordeaux–Paris – Trophée Rustines – L’Équipe’. Made of red fabric, adorned with gold lettering and edged with fringes, it was presented to Jo de Roo as the winner of the race.
His signature, affixed to the top of the pennant, reinforces the personal and historical significance of this item, which is directly linked to one of the greatest achievements of his career.
Housed in the Noël Grégoire Collections, this object is a precious testament to the golden age of the great endurance classics and serves as a reminder of the important place Jo de Roo occupies in the history of Dutch cycling.
ITEM N° 464
GILMORE Graeme (AUS) (29.06.1945)
Silver plate for Best Sprinter ‘World of Sport Trophy’ – Wembley 1974
Graeme Gilmore was one of Australia’s leading track cycling specialists during the 1960s and 1970s. A fast, resilient and spectacular rider, he spent the bulk of his career on European velodromes.
Having settled in Europe to pursue his professional career, he took part in numerous American-style races and Six Day events. His skills as a track cyclist enabled him to compete with the best international specialists of his era. The year 1974 marked a significant period in his career. Graeme Gilmore took part in the London Six Days, held at Wembley Arena under the sponsorship of the Skol beer brand.
The item on display is the ‘World of Sport Trophy’ commemorative silver plate presented to Graeme Gilmore at Wembley in 1974. It serves as a testament to the awards presented to riders at major British cycling events. Circular in shape and edged with decorative relief motifs, the plate bears the engraved inscriptions ‘Skol 6 Day’, ‘World of Sport Trophy’ and ‘Wembley 1974’. The scratches and patina visible on its surface bear witness to its age and history.
Graeme Gilmore won several Six-Day races during his career and established himself as one of the Australian track cyclists most beloved by European audiences.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this silver plate serves as a memento of Graeme Gilmore’s participation in the 1974 London Six Days and his brilliant career on European velodromes.
