The jerseys - 28
ITEM N° 466
GILMORE Graeme (AUS)
(29.06.1945)
His European Omnium Champion’s jersey, worn in 1974
An Australian track cyclist, Graeme Gilmore began competing at the age of ten and turned professional at fifteen. Fast, resilient and particularly skilful on the velodrome, he established himself as one of the finest Six-Day race specialists of the 1960s and 1970s.
Before moving to Europe in 1968, he became Australian road champion in 1967 and won the Melbourne–Warrnambool classic. On European tracks, he competed in over a hundred Six-Day races, winning events in Ghent, Bremen, Zurich, Cologne, Munich, Dortmund, Maastricht and Copenhagen, amongst others.
In 1974, at the height of his career, he was regarded as one of the world’s finest Six-Day riders. He won three races in three consecutive weeks, a feat that had never been achieved before. Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame
The European Professional Omnium Champion’s jersey won and worn by Graeme Gilmore in 1974. At these championships, he also won the silver medal in the American race and the bronze medal in the derny race. That same year, he won four Six-Day races: Cologne with Dieter Kemper, Munich with Sigi Renz, Zurich with Klaus Bugdahl and Ghent with Julien Stevens.
This jersey brings together an Australian champion, a European title and the golden age of Six-Day races. Its shiny fabric, colours and the federation’s emblem are typical of the kit reserved for professional track champions during the 1970s.
Displayed alongside its certificate in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, it stands as a valuable testament to the remarkable 1974 season of Graeme Gilmore, one of the great Australian track cyclists of his era.
ITEM N° 124
GIMONDI Felice (I) (29.09.1942 – 16.08.2019)
His Bianchi–Faema jersey worn in 1978
Born in Sedrina, near Bergamo, Felice Gimondi is one of the greatest Italian cyclists in history. A well-rounded rider, an excellent climber and a remarkable all-rounder, he proved himself capable of winning both Grand Tours and the classics.
Winner of the Tour de l’Avenir in 1964, he turned professional the following year. Selected at the last minute for the 1965 Tour de France, he caused a sensation by winning the general classification in his very first professional season.
Gimondi went on to win three Giro d’Italia titles, in 1967, 1969 and 1976, as well as the 1968 Vuelta a España. He thus became the second rider, after Jacques Anquetil, to win all three Grand Tours.
His honours also include the 1973 Road World Championship, the 1966 Paris–Roubaix, the 1974 Milan–San Remo and two Giro di Lombardia. These achievements are all the more remarkable given that his career coincided with the dominance of Eddy Merckx, his main rival. After his racing career, Gimondi remained closely associated with the Bianchi brand and continued to play an important role in Italian cycling. He died in 2019, aged seventy-six.
This item is a jersey from the Italian Bianchi–Faema team worn by Felice Gimondi during the 1978 season. This jersey brings together a legendary champion, a historic brand and the distinctive colours of a former world champion.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey is a valuable testament to Felice Gimondi’s 1978 season. It serves as a reminder of the exceptional longevity of a rider capable of triumphing in the three Grand Tours, the World Championships and the most prestigious classics.
ITEM N° 125
GIMONDI Felice (I)
(29.09.1942 – 16.08.2019)
His Italian national team casual polo shirt
Born in Sedrina, in the province of Bergamo, Felice Gimondi is one of the greatest champions in the history of Italian cycling. A well-rounded rider, a powerful time-trialist, a good climber and exceptionally consistent, he boasts one of the most impressive lists of achievements of his era.
In 1964, whilst still an amateur, he won the Tour de l’Avenir and competed at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Turning professional with Salvarani in 1965, he won the Tour de France in his very first season, ahead of Raymond Poulidor.
He went on to win the Giro d’Italia three times, in 1967, 1969 and 1976, as well as the 1968 Vuelta a España. He thus became only the second rider in history, after Jacques Anquetil, to have all three Grand Tours to his name.
World Road Champion in 1973, Gimondi also won Paris–Roubaix, Milan–San Remo and two Tours of Lombardy. He built this exceptional career despite the presence of his great rival Eddy Merckx, who was then dominating international cycling.
This item is a casual polo shirt worn by Felice Gimondi whilst on the Italian national team. Unlike the competition jersey, this polo shirt was intended for use outside of races: travel, team gatherings, official presentations or rest periods. Its understated design is typical of the formal attire worn by national teams in the 1960s.
A period photograph shows the young Felice Gimondi wearing an identical polo shirt, confirming that this style was used within the Italian team.
More understated than a racing jersey, this polo shirt illustrates a rarely documented aspect of champions’ lives: that of travelling and the time spent with their national team away from competition.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, it offers a unique insight into Felice Gimondi’s international career. The inscription ‘ITALIA’ evokes the journey of a champion who went on to become one of his country’s greatest sporting figures.
