The pennants, scarves, plates & certficates - 19
ITEM N°404
SPEICHER Georges (F)
(08.06.1907 – 24.01.1978)
His honorary sash, presented by the Sedan Cycling Club
A leading figure in French cycling between the two world wars, Georges Speicher achieved a remarkable double in 1933 by winning, in quick succession, the Tour de France and the World Road Cycling Championships. His prestigious list of achievements also includes Paris–Roubaix in 1936, three French championship titles and nine stage victories in the Tour de France.
Made from black and red satin, this sash bears the gold letters ‘V.C. Sedan’. It is finished with an elegant tassel with gold fringes. Presented by the Vélo-Club de Sedan, this commemorative item bears witness to the admiration held for the champion and recalls the ceremonies once organised by cycling clubs to celebrate the sport’s great figures.
The photograph shows Georges Speicher wearing a sash during a public tribute. However, the exact date and circumstances of the presentation of this particular sash remain to be confirmed.
ITEM N° 405
SPEICHER Georges (F)
(08.06.1907 – 24.01.1978)
Green and orange honorary sash with an unidentified monogram
A leading figure in French cycling between the two world wars, Georges Speicher made history in 1933 by winning the Tour de France, followed by the World Road Cycling Championships. The first rider to achieve this prestigious double in the same year, he also won Paris–Roubaix in 1936 and became a three-time French champion.
Made from green and orange satin, this sash is adorned with an embroidered monogram and two tassels with gold fringes. It was likely presented to the champion during a ceremony organised by a cycling club, perhaps the Vélo-Club de Solesmes, in the late 1930s.
In the absence of a name inscription or any associated archival document, the exact origin, date and circumstances of its presentation remain to be confirmed.
PIECE N° 564
BRACKE Ferdinand (B)
(25.05.1939)
The commemorative pennant he received following his world hour record in 1967
A leading specialist in track cycling and time trials, Ferdinand Bracke made cycling history on 30 October 1967 at the Olympic Velodrome in Rome. By covering 48.093 kilometres in one hour, he broke Roger Rivière’s previous record and became the first rider to officially surpass the symbolic 48-kilometre mark. Le Monde, ServiceKOERS
The pennant shown here was produced to celebrate this feat. Richly edged with fringes in the colours of Belgium, it features a crown and the Dutch inscription ‘Wereldrecordman’, meaning ‘world record holder’. Ferdinand Bracke’s name, the year 1967 and the words ‘Silba-Sport’ complete this commemorative piece.
This exceptional performance confirmed the remarkable qualities of the Belgian champion as a road cyclist, who had already won the Grand Prix des Nations in 1962. A two-time world champion in the individual pursuit, Bracke went on to win the Vuelta a España in 1971. He also finished third in the 1968 Tour de France and won two stages of the Tour.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this historic pennant celebrates one of Ferdinand Bracke’s greatest achievements and preserves the memory of a major chapter in Belgian and world cycling history.
