The jerseys - 30
ITEM N° 129
GODEFROOT Walter (B)
(02.07.1943 – 01.09.2025)
His winner’s jersey from the 1974 Four Days of Dunkirk
In the peloton of the 1960s and 1970s, Walter Godefroot perfectly embodied the Flemish cyclist: robust, determined and hard to shake off. His attacking style and his face, often etched with the strain of the effort, earned him the nickname ‘The Bulldog of Flanders’.
Although blessed with remarkable acceleration, he was by no means a sprinter confined to bunch sprints. Cobbles, long distances and gruelling races were his favourite terrain. He knew how to weather the difficulties before unleashing his power in the final kilometres.
Godefroot was one of the few riders capable of regularly rivalling Eddy Merckx. He built up an exceptional record in the classics, with victories in Liège–Bastogne–Liège, Paris–Roubaix and twice in the Tour of Flanders. After retiring from the peloton, Walter Godefroot passed on his experience as a sports director. His career, first as a champion and then as the manager of prestigious teams, made him one of the most influential figures in Belgian cycling during the second half of the 20th century.
This item is a pink winner’s jersey from the Four Days of Dunkirk worn by Walter Godefroot in 1974. The jersey bears a large signature by Walter Godefroot in the centre of the chest, accompanied by a second, smaller dedication. These inscriptions lend the item a personal touch and enhance its appeal to collectors.
This jersey brings together a great Belgian champion, an iconic race in northern France and the history of its regional partners.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey is a valuable testament to Walter Godefroot’s victory in the 1974 Four Days of Dunkirk and to the career of one of Belgium’s greatest classics specialists.
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ITEM N° 354
GODEFROOT Walter (B)
(02.07.1943 – 01.09.2025)
His 1972 Belgian Road Champion’s jersey, worn in 1973
Nicknamed the ‘Bulldog of Flanders’, Walter Godefroot epitomised the powerful and combative Flemish cyclist. Fast in the sprint but also very resilient on cobbles and over long distances, he became one of the great classics specialists of his generation.
A bronze medallist at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he turned professional the following year and immediately won his first Belgian championship. His list of victories includes, notably, Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 1967, Paris–Roubaix in 1969 and two Tours of Flanders, in 1968 and 1978.
Godefroot also won ten stages of the Tour de France and the green jersey in 1970. He remains one of the few riders capable of regularly beating Eddy Merckx in the classics and sprint finishes.
This item is a Belgian champions’ jersey worn by Walter Godefroot during the 1973 season, whilst riding for the Flandria–Carpenter–Shimano team. A dedication in Dutch, accompanied by Walter Godefroot’s signature, is inscribed on the yellow band.
This jersey brings together the Belgian national colours, an iconic team and one of the finest classics riders of his era.
The inscriptions ‘Flandria’, ‘Carpenter’ and ‘Shimano’ also mark the Japanese manufacturer’s entry into European professional cycling.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey is a precious memento of Walter Godefroot’s 1973 season and his second Belgian championship title.
ITEM N° 534
GODEFROOT Walter (B)
(02.07.1943 – 01.09.2025)
His Flandria–De Clerck jersey worn in 1968
By 1968, Walter Godefroot was no longer just a feared sprinter: he had become one of the leading figures in Flemish cycling. His power, stamina and penchant for gruelling races enabled him to excel on cobbled sections as well as in sprint finishes.
Nicknamed the ‘Bulldog of Flanders’, he had a determined and attacking style. He knew how to survive the breakaways in the classics before using his burst of speed against the best riders of his era.
During his career, he won, notably, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, Paris–Roubaix, Ghent–Wevelgem and two Tours of Flanders. He also won ten stages of the Tour de France and the points classification in 1970.
After his racing career, he became an influential team manager, notably at the helm of Telekom–T-Mobile. Walter Godefroot died in 2025, aged eighty-two.
This long-sleeved jersey from the Belgian Flandria–De Clerck team was worn by Walter Godefroot during the 1968 season.
This jersey brings together an iconic Belgian team, a great classics specialist and one of the finest seasons of his career.
Its thick knit, embroidery and metal fastening illustrate the artisanal craftsmanship of cycling apparel from the late 1960s.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, it is a valuable record of Walter Godefroot’s 1968 season, marked by his victories in the Tour of Flanders and Ghent–Wevelgem.
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