The jerseys - 39
ITEM N° 161
KINT Marcel (B)
(20.09.1914 – 23.03.2002)
His road world champion’s jersey, worn after winning the title in 1938
Born on 20 September 1914 in Zwevegem, Marcel Kint, nicknamed ‘the Black Eagle’, was one of the great Belgian cyclists of his generation. Powerful and enduring, he excelled in both the classics and stage races.
His greatest achievement was the 1938 Professional Road World Championship, which he won in Valkenburg. His list of victories also includes Paris–Brussels in 1938, the Belgian Championship in 1939, Paris–Roubaix in 1943, three consecutive Flèche Wallonne victories from 1943 to 1945, and Ghent–Wevelgem in 1949. He also won six stages of the Tour de France.
As the World Championships were not held during the Second World War, Kint symbolically retained his title until 1946. That year, he went on to win the World Championship silver medal.
This World Champion’s jersey was worn by Marcel Kint following his road title victory in 1938.
This jersey brings together a major figure in Belgian cycling, the last World Championships held before the Second World War, and one of the most prestigious symbols in the history of cycling.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey keeps alive the memory of the 1938 victory in Valkenburg. It pays tribute to Marcel Kint, ‘the Black Eagle’, whose career spanned the war and who, due to the circumstances of history, remains the champion who held the world title for the longest period without a successor being named.
ITEM N° 163
KNETEMANN Gerrie (NL) (06.03.1951 – 02.11.2004)
His rainbow jersey, worn after winning the 1978 Road World Championship
Born on 6 March 1951 in Amsterdam, Gerrie Knetemann, nicknamed ‘De Kneet’, was one of the great Dutch cyclists of his generation. A powerful rider and excellent finisher, he spent most of his best seasons with the famous TI–Raleigh team.
His greatest achievement was the 1978 Road World Championship, which he won at the Nürburgring ahead of Francesco Moser. His honours also include Paris–Nice, two Amstel Gold Races and ten stages of the Tour de France, during which he wore the yellow jersey for eight days.
After his racing career, Knetemann remained a key figure in Dutch cycling, notably as national team manager. He died suddenly on 2 November 2004, aged 53, whilst out on a cycle ride.
This item is a rainbow jersey worn by Gerrie Knetemann during his time as world champion, following his title win in August 1978.
The documentary value of this item is enhanced by the handwritten note accompanying it. The text, in Dutch, reads:
‘This rainbow jersey was still at my mother’s house. It is the very last jersey. ”
This note directly links the garment to Gerrie Knetemann’s family background. The phrase ‘very last jersey’ may refer to the last example of this type still kept in the family; it should not necessarily be taken as proof that it was the last one worn chronologically in competition.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, it keeps alive the memory of the 1978 World Championships at the Nürburgring and pays tribute to Gerrie Knetemann, a much-loved champion whose strength, character and dedication to cycling left a lasting mark on Dutch sport.
ITEM N° 167
KUIPER Hennie (NL)
(03.02.1949)
His white leader’s jersey worn at Paris–Nice 1976
Born on 3 February 1949 in Denekamp, Hennie Kuiper was one of the most well-rounded Dutch cyclists of his generation. An Olympic road race champion at Munich in 1972, he went on to become professional world champion in 1975.
Twice runner-up in the Tour de France and a two-time winner at Alpe d’Huez, Kuiper also excelled in the classics. He won four of the five Monuments: the Tour of Flanders and the Tour of Lombardy in 1981, Paris–Roubaix in 1983 and Milan–San Remo in 1985. Only Liège–Bastogne–Liège is missing from his exceptional list of achievements.
This item is a white leader’s jersey worn by Hennie Kuiper during the 1976 Paris–Nice, a race in which he finished second in the general classification. This jersey brings together an Olympic and world champion, one of the major French stage races, and a general classification that remained undecided until the final time trial.
The item also serves as a reminder of a remarkable sporting duel. Hennie Kuiper wore this jersey for several stages and reached the foot of the Col d’Èze with the overall victory still within his grasp, before ultimately losing out to Michel Laurent by just 17 seconds.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey is a valuable artefact from the 1976 Paris–Nice. It commemorates one of Hennie Kuiper’s most memorable performances in a stage race and illustrates the understated elegance of cycling leader’s jerseys from the 1970s.
