The jerseys - 17
ITEM N° 3381
CUNEGO Damiano (I)
(19.09.1981)
His "Saeco" jersey worn in 2004
Damiano Cunego is a former Italian professional cyclist, one of the leading figures in Italian cycling of the 2000s. An excellent climber and particularly at ease on undulating routes, he also stood out for his ability to accelerate on climbs and to triumph in the major classics.
His career took on an international dimension in 2004, when he was just 22 years old. Riding for the Saeco team, Cunego had an exceptional season and won the Giro d’Italia. A few months later, he confirmed his talent by winning the 2004 Tour of Lombardy. This classic would become one of his favourite races, as he went on to win it again in 2007 and 2008. His list of victories also includes the 2008 Amstel Gold Race.
The jersey presented here is a Saeco jersey worn by Damiano Cunego during the 2004 season. The item also has a personal touch thanks to Damiano Cunego’s handwritten dedication. The accompanying photographs help to place this jersey in its context and reinforce its direct link to the Italian champion.
Linked to the year of his victory in the Giro d’Italia, this jersey is therefore a valuable testament to Damiano Cunego’s career and to Italian professional cycling in the early 2000s.
ITEM N° 537
DAEMS Corneille (B)
(04.04.1964)
His 1980 Belgian ‘Beginners’ Champion medal
Corneille Daems is a Belgian cyclist who made a name for himself at a very young age in the beginners’ category, one of the first levels of cycling development in Belgium. In a country where youth competitions have always served as a real training ground for cycling, winning a national title is in itself a significant achievement.
In 1980, Corneille Daems won the Belgian Novice Championship title in Nijlen on 13 July 1980. This victory enabled him to wear the Belgian national colours and stands as one of the most memorable moments of his career as a young cyclist. The set is completed by his Belgian Champion’s medal, suspended from a ribbon also in black, yellow and red. The reverse bears the inscriptions ‘Débutants – Nieuwelingen’, ‘13 July 1980’ and ‘Nijlen’, enabling the title, category, date and venue of the championship to be precisely identified.
The combination of the jersey, the medal and the photographic record of the champion lends this collection particular museum value. These objects do not merely represent a sporting victory: they constitute tangible evidence of a national title won in the junior categories and illustrate the importance of youth development in the history of Belgian cycling.
ITEM N° 538
DAEMS Corneille (B) (04.02.1964)
His team jersey worn in the beginners’ category in 1980
Corneille Daems belongs to that generation of young Belgian cyclists who came through a cycling scene particularly rich in clubs and local competitions. In 1980, he was competing in the beginners’ category, an important stage in the development of young competitors.
That same year marked a turning point in his career as he became Belgian novice champion, confirming his talent and his progress within Belgian cycling.
This team jersey worn by Corneille Daems in 1980 is typical of the cycling kits of that era. Predominantly yellow and black, it features a zipped stand-up collar, short sleeves and wide vertical black stripes along the lower part.
The chest bears the name of the sponsor, ‘Bouwmaterialen’, in large letters, along with the word ‘Zemst’, highlighting the vital role played by local sponsors in supporting Belgian teams and young riders.
