The jerseys - 46
ITEM N° 196
MARTENS René (B)
(27.05.1955)
His “DAF Trucks–TeVe-Blad” jersey, worn during his victory in the 1982 Tour of Flanders
Born on 27 May 1955 in Hasselt, in Belgian Limburg, René Martens was a professional cyclist active from 1978 to 1990. A reliable team-mate and specialist in endurance races, he also proved capable of winning some of the toughest races on the calendar.
In 1981, he won the ninth stage of the Tour de France, between Nantes and Le Mans. The following year, he secured the most prestigious victory of his career by winning the Tour of Flanders in a solo breakaway. He went on to win the Bordeaux–Paris classic in 1985.
Martens competed in nine Tours de France and achieved his best overall classification in 1982, finishing in twenty-fourth place. His longevity and versatility enabled him to span several generations of Belgian cycling.
This DAF Trucks–TeVe-Blad–Rossin team jersey was worn by René Martens during his victory in the 1982 Tour of Flanders. This item brings together a Belgian winner, an iconic team from the early 1980s and one of the most prestigious classics in world cycling.
René Martens’ signature and the photograph showing him in an identical kit lend a personal touch to the item. They allow the garment to be directly linked to the rider and his greatest sporting achievement.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey preserves the memory of the 1982 Tour of Flanders, won solo by René Martens following a decisive attack on the Mur de Grammont.
ITEM N° 199
MAURI Melchor (E)
(08.04.1966)
The ONCE team jersey associated with his victory in the 1991 Vuelta a España
Born on 8 April 1966 in Vic, Catalonia, Melcior Mauri Prat, commonly known as Melchor Mauri, was one of the finest Spanish road cyclists of his generation.
A professional from 1987 to 2002, he rode for teams including Reynolds, ONCE, Amaya Seguros, Banesto and several Portuguese teams. A time trial specialist, he won the 1991 Vuelta a España, became Spanish time trial champion in 1995 and took silver at the World Time Trial Championships in 1998.
He also finished sixth in the 1995 Tour de France and won several stage races, including the Tour of the Valencian Community, the Tour of Murcia, the Tour of Aragon, the Circuit de la Sarthe and the Tour of the Algarve.
This item is an ONCE team jersey worn by Melchor Mauri and associated with his victory in the 1991 Vuelta a España. Despite its yellow colour and its association with the 1991 Vuelta a España, this item does not appear to be the official yellow jersey of the general classification. It is the ONCE team’s standard commercial jersey, for which yellow was already the main colour. The most accurate description is therefore: ‘ONCE team jersey worn by Melchor Mauri and associated with his victory in the 1991 Vuelta a España. ”
This clarification helps to distinguish the team kit from the distinctive jersey awarded by the organisers to the leader of the Vuelta. When Mauri was at the top of the general classification, he was required to wear the official leader’s jersey, tailored to the race’s sponsors. The jersey in the collection remains, however, directly linked to this victory through its date, the fact that it belonged to the rider and, above all, its handwritten dedication.
ITEM N° 202
MERCKX Eddy (B)
(17.06.1945)
His "Molteni" team’s Belgian champion’s jersey, worn at the start of the 1971 season
Born on 17 June 1945 in Meensel-Kiezegem, Eddy Merckx is generally regarded as the most accomplished cyclist in the history of the sport. Nicknamed ‘The Cannibal’ due to his determination to win on all terrains, he dominated the Grand Tours as well as the classics, time trials and track events.
A professional from 1965 to 1978, he won five Tours de France, five Giro d’Italia and the 1973 Vuelta a España. His honours also include three professional World Championships, seven Milan–San Remo, five Liège–Bastogne–Liège, three Paris–Roubaix, two Tour of Flanders and two Tour of Lombardy.
In 1972, he set a new hour record in Mexico City with a distance of 49.431 kilometres. His exceptional number of victories and his ability to triumph in all categories of race make him a central figure in the history of cycling.
This item is a Belgian champion’s jersey in the Molteni team colours, worn by Eddy Merckx during the first part of the 1971 season. This jersey brings together the greatest champion in the history of cycling, the Belgian national colours and the first season of the legendary partnership between Eddy Merckx and Molteni.
The black-and-white photograph shows Eddy Merckx raising his arms whilst wearing a Molteni kit in the Belgian national colours. It allows the garment to be placed in its competitive context and enables us to observe how the black, yellow and red stripes are arranged across the body and sleeves.
A second photograph documents an event held in Lavaux-Sainte-Anne in May 2013. It adds a personal dimension to the exhibition and links memories of Merckx’s career to the history of the collection.
Displayed in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey commemorates the Belgian championship title won in 1970 and worn in Molteni colours at the start of the 1971 season, the year in which Eddy Merckx won the Tour de France and became world champion.
