The pennants, scarves, plates & certficates - 1
ITEM N°369
ALLAN Don (AUS)
(24.09.1949)
His ‘L’Échappée No. 1’ pennant from the 1975 Tour de France
Born on 24 September 1949 in Melbourne, Donald John ‘Don’ Allan is a former Australian cyclist. Competing on both the road and the track, he was part of the first generation of Australian riders to establish themselves on a lasting basis in European professional cycling.
A member of the Blackburn Cycling Club in Melbourne, he was involved in a serious car accident in 1970, in which he suffered fractures to his back and pelvis, amongst other injuries. After a long recovery, however, he returned to competition and represented Australia at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, in the road race and the team time trial.
On arriving in Europe in 1973, Don Allan won stages of the Peace Race, the Tour of Austria and the Tour of Scotland. His results earned him a professional contract with the Dutch team Frisol. He took part in the Tour de France for the first time in 1974, then returned the following year riding for Frisol–G.B.C. The 1975 Tour took place from 26 June to 20 July, between Charleroi and Paris, covering approximately 4,000 kilometres. Don Allan finished this edition in 85th place in the general classification.
The pennant on display bears the inscription ‘L’Échappée No. 1 – EDOX watches – Tour de France 1975’. It recognises Don Allan for one of his attacking manoeuvres during that Tour de France. This honour recognises not a stage victory, but the courage and fighting spirit demonstrated during the Tour. This award evokes an era in which numerous special prizes were awarded to the most combative riders, the instigators of the major breakaways or the key figures of each stage. These promotional items are now valuable testimonies to the commercial and sporting history of the Tour de France.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this pennant preserves the memory of Don Allan’s participation in the 1975 Tour de France. It bears witness to the fighting spirit of a pioneer who helped open the doors of European cycling to subsequent generations of Australian riders.
ITEM N°370
ALLAN Don (AUS)
(24.09.1949)
His 1979 European American-style cycling champion’s sash
Don Allan was one of the most versatile Australian cyclists of his generation. A professional during the 1970s and 1980s, he excelled on both the road and the track.
On the road, Don Allan competed notably in the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. He won a stage of the Vuelta in 1975, before going on to enjoy a brilliant career in track events, particularly in Six-Day races.
The year 1979 marked one of the high points of his career. On 15 November, at the Copenhagen Forum, he and his compatriot Danny Clark won the European Professional Championship in the American race, a discipline also known as the Madison.
The item on display is the pennant-scarf presented to Don Allan to mark this victory. Made from white and red satin fabric, it bears the Danish inscriptions ‘Tuborg Københavns Vinterbane Forum’ and ‘Europamesterskab i Parløb – 15 November 1979’. The creases, patina and gold fringes of the pennant bear witness to its age. Preserved in its original condition, this item evokes the ceremonial traditions that once accompanied major competitions held in European velodromes.
The photograph shows Don Allan and Danny Clark celebrating their victory amongst the crowd. Wearing their laurel wreaths and brandishing their bouquets, the two Australians embody the joy of success achieved at the end of a gruelling event, based on speed, endurance and perfect coordination between team-mates.
Don Allan and Danny Clark formed one of the most renowned Australian duos in track cycling. Together, they won several Six-Day races, helping to raise the international profile of Australian cycling.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this pennant-scarf commemorates the European title won by Don Allan and Danny Clark in Copenhagen on 15 November 1979.
ITEM N° 371
ALLAN Don (AUS)
(24.05.1949)
His winner’s sash from the 1980 London Six Days
Don Allan was one of the finest Australian track cyclists of his generation. A professional during the 1970s and 1980s, he stood out for his stamina, speed and prowess in team events.
After achieving several results on the road, notably a stage victory in the 1975 Vuelta a España, Don Allan gradually shifted his focus to track cycling. He went on to become a recognised specialist in American-style races and Six-Day events.
The year 1980 marked one of the high points of his career. Teaming up with his compatriot Danny Clark, he won the London Six Days, held at Wembley Arena under the sponsorship of the Skol brand. The two Australians thus became the last winners of this famous London competition.
The item on display is the winner’s pennant-scarf presented to Don Allan on the occasion of this victory. Made from yellow satin fabric and edged with gold fringes, it bears the inscriptions ‘Winner 1980’, ‘Skol 6’ and ‘Wembley’. The creases, patina and fringes of the pennant bear witness to its age. Preserved in its original condition, this item evokes the formal ceremonies and spectacular atmosphere of major track cycling events.
The archive photograph shows Don Allan and Danny Clark in the midst of an American-style race. The hand-to-hand baton handover illustrates the perfect coordination required in this discipline, in which team-mates take turns at high speed on the track.
Don Allan and Danny Clark formed one of the most renowned Australian pairs of their era. Their victory in London notably extended their title as European professional champions in the American race, won at the Copenhagen Forum in 1979.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this pennant-scarf commemorates Don Allan and Danny Clark’s victory at the 1980 London Six Days and the final edition of this prestigious event.
