The jerseys - 36
ITEM N° 147
HOUBRECHTS Antoine « Tony » (B)
(06.09.1943)
His 1970 Tirreno–Adriatico winner’s jersey
Born on 6 September 1943 in Tongeren, Belgium, Antoine Houbrechts, better known by his first name ‘Tony’, was an all-round cyclist of the 1960s and 1970s generation. Enduring and consistent, he performed particularly well in stage races.
Turning professional in the mid-1960s, his notable victories included the 1967 Tour of Portugal, the 1968 Tour of Andalusia, Tirreno–Adriatico in 1970, the 1971 Tour of Umbria, as well as the Coppa Sabatini and Nokere Koerse in 1972. He also achieved several notable placings in the Grand Tours, finishing eighth in the 1970 Tour de France and the 1971 Giro d’Italia.
This item is a jersey associated with Antoine Houbrechts’ overall victory in the 1970 Tirreno–Adriatico.
He thus became the first Belgian rider and the first non-Italian winner of the ‘Race of the Two Seas’, the first four editions of which had been won by Italians.
This jersey commemorates a significant victory for Belgian cycling on Italian soil. It brings together a great stage race rider, an iconic team such as Salvarani, and the early days of Tirreno–Adriatico, which has since become one of the major events on the international calendar.
Its red and yellow design, its stitched lettering and its traditional style also reflect the aesthetic of the distinctive jerseys of the early 1970s.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this piece commemorates Antoine ‘Tony’ Houbrechts’ victory in the 1970 Tirreno–Adriatico, ahead of two of the finest Italian riders of his era.
ITEM N° 148
HOUBRECHTS Antoine "Tony" (B) (06.09.1943)
His leader’s jersey from the 1964 Tour of the Province of Liège
Born on 6 September 1943 in Tongeren, Antoon Houbrechts, also known as Antoine or ‘Tony’, made a name for himself in the Belgian amateur ranks in the early 1960s. A resilient and versatile rider, he already possessed the qualities that would later make him an excellent stage race specialist.
The 1964 season marked an important milestone in his development. Notably, he won Namur–Clermont, Romsée–Stavelot–Romsée and the general classification of the amateur Tour of Limburg. During the Tour of the Province of Liège, he won the first section of the second stage, contested around Visé, before finishing second in the second section. These results saw him provisionally take the lead in the race. (Antoon Houbrechts’ amateur honours list)
Having turned professional in the mid-1960s, Houbrechts went on to confirm his abilities in stage races. He won the 1967 Tour of Portugal, the 1968 Tour of Andalusia and the 1970 Tirreno–Adriatico. He also finished eighth in the 1970 Tour de France and the 1971 Giro d’Italia.
This item is a leader’s jersey worn by Antoon Houbrechts during the 1964 Tour of the Province of Liège.
In 1964, Houbrechts won the first part of the second stage in Visé. His consistent performance in the second sector enabled him to wear the orange leader’s jersey shown here. However, he did not win the overall classification, which was claimed by Léopold Heuvelmans ahead of Jean Christiaens and Alfons Heylen. This jersey bears witness to the formative years of a future international winner, prior to his move to the professional ranks.
More than just a distinctive garment, it preserves the memory of a pivotal moment: the moment when the young Antoon Houbrechts took the lead in a regional race destined to reveal many talents.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey is a valuable record of the 1964 Tour of the Province of Liège and the promising early career of the man who would go on to become one of the most consistent Belgian riders of his generation.
ITEM N° 151
JANSSEN Jan (NL)
(19.05.1940)
His green jersey as winner of the points classification at the 1969 Tour de Suisse
Born on 19 May 1940 in Nootdorp, Jan Janssen is one of the greatest Dutch cyclists of the 20th century. Recognisable by his glasses and his tenacious nature, he combined remarkable speed with solid all-round and stage-race abilities.
World Road Champion in 1964, he also won Paris–Nice that same year. In 1967, he won Paris–Roubaix as well as the Vuelta a España, where he also claimed the points classification. The following year, he became the first Dutchman to win the Tour de France, finishing just 38 seconds ahead of Herman Van Springel.
Janssen particularly excelled in classifications based on consistency. He won the green jersey in the Tour de France three times, in 1964, 1965 and 1967, as well as two points classifications in the Vuelta a España. His victory in this discipline at the 1969 Tour de Suisse confirmed his exceptional ability.
This green jersey, awarded to the winner of the points classification, was worn by Jan Janssen during the 1969 Tour de Suisse.
The 33rd edition of the Tour de Suisse took place from 12 to 20 June 1969. Thanks to his consistency in the finishes and intermediate sprints, the Dutchman won the points classification with 204 points, ahead of Herman Van Springel, who scored 164 points.
This item links the first Dutch winner of the Tour de France – one of Europe’s major stage races – with a classification in which Jan Janssen was a recognised specialist. The period photograph showing Janssen wearing an identical jersey reinforces the item’s authenticity and its documentary value.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, it preserves the memory of the 1969 Tour de Suisse and pays tribute to Jan Janssen, a complete champion whose racing intelligence, tenacity and consistency left a lasting mark on Dutch and international cycling.
