The jerseys - 45
ITEM N° 517
MAGNE Antonin (F)
(15.02.1904 – 08.09.1983)
His French national team jersey, worn at the start of the 1934 Tour de France
Antonin Magne was one of the leading figures in French cycling between the two world wars. Nicknamed ‘Tonin the Wise’, he stood out for his dedication, consistency and tactical acumen.
A professional from 1927 to 1939, he won two Tour de France titles, in 1931 and 1934, as well as ten stages of the race. World Road Champion in 1936, he also won the Grand Prix des Nations three times, from 1934 to 1936.
After his racing career, Magne became a sports director at Mercier. Renowned for his people skills and rigorous methods, he worked with riders such as Louison Bobet and Raymond Poulidor.
This item is a French national team jersey issued to Antonin Magne and worn at the start of the 1934 Tour de France. The jersey bears no commercial branding. This absence of advertising is due to the Tour de France being organised under the national teams format. The riders were not representing their usual professional teams, but their country.
This jersey brings together one of the greatest French champions of the interwar period, the era of national teams, and the start of a victorious Tour de France.
The item takes on added significance when viewed alongside Antonin Magne’s yellow jersey: one represents his membership of the French team, the other his dominance of the general classification.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey preserves the memory of the opening stages of the 1934 Tour de France, just a few hours before Antonin Magne claimed the yellow jersey and went on to wear it all the way to Paris.
ITEM N° 553
MAIGNAN Gilles (F) (30.07.1968)
AG2R Prévoyance jersey worn during his victory in the 2001 À travers le Morbihan
Born on 30 July 1968 in Argenteuil, in the Val-d’Oise, Gilles Maignan is a French cyclist particularly renowned for his skills as a road racer and time trial specialist.
A professional since 1995, he rode successively for Mutuelle de Seine-et-Marne, Casino–AG2R and then AG2R Prévoyance. He became French time trial champion in 1998 and 1999 and finished seventh in the World Time Trial Championships in 1999.
In January 2000, he won the general classification of the Tour Down Under in Australia. He also took part in four Tours de France, in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2001. His victory in the 2001 À travers le Morbihan marked the final major success of his professional career. After retiring from competition, Gilles Maignan remained closely involved with cycling. He joined Amaury Sport Organisation, the company that organises the Tour de France and several major races.
This AG2R Prévoyance–Décathlon team jersey, worn by Gilles Maignan during the 2001 season, is associated with his victory in the ‘À travers le Morbihan’ race.
The name ‘Gilles Maignan’ appears on the inside of the collar, a detail that allows the owner of the kit to be personally identified. A handwritten signature also appears on the yellow sponsor’s panel, reinforcing the direct link between the garment and the rider.
This jersey brings together a two-time French time trial champion, a leading French cycling team and Gilles Maignan’s last significant professional success.
ITEM N° 198
MARICHAL Thierry (B)
(13.06.1973)
His Lotto–Mobistar team jersey from 1999
Born on 13 June 1973 in Leuze-en-Hainaut, Thierry Marichal is a former Belgian professional cyclist who competed from 1996 to 2007. A well-rounded rider and experienced team player, he particularly excelled on undulating routes and in time trials.
He won the general classification of the 1997 Tour de la Région wallonne, before joining Lotto–Mobistar the following year. In 1999, he won Le Samyn as well as the first stage of the Tour de l’Oise and finished third in the Belgian Time Trial Championship.
His list of achievements also includes stage wins in the Tour of Bavaria and the Circuit Franco-Belge in 2000. In 2005, riding for Cofidis, he won the Duo Normand alongside Sylvain Chavanel. He competed in five Tours de France, four Giro d’Italia and two Vuelta a España before retiring in 2007. After retiring from competitive cycling, Thierry Marichal remained in the cycling world. He became a sports director for several teams, including Veranda’s Willems, Wanty–Groupe Gobert, IAM Cycling and WB–Veranclassic. He then returned to Cofidis, the team for which he had raced in 2005 and 2006.
This jersey from the Belgian Lotto–Mobistar team was worn by Thierry Marichal during the 1999 season. A handwritten signature by Thierry Marichal is visible in the centre of the chest. It personalises the item and strengthens the link between the jersey, its former owner and the collection that preserves it.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey preserves the memory of the 1999 season, the Lotto–Mobistar team and a rider whose career spans Walloon cycling, the Grand Tours and sports management.
