The jerseys - 50
ITEM N° 446
MONTY Willy (B)
(11.10.1939 – 09.11.2014)
His Watney–Avia long-sleeved jersey worn in 1971
Willy Monty was part of the strong generation of Belgian cyclists of the 1960s. After representing Belgium at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, he pursued a professional career from 1963 to 1971.
A well-rounded rider, strong on climbs and effective on undulating terrain, he notably won a stage of the 1964 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré and two stages of the 1965 Tour of Catalonia. He competed in four Tours de France and achieved his best result in 1967 with a remarkable twelfth place in the general classification. That same season, he finished third in Liège–Bastogne–Liège.
This item is a jersey from the Belgian Watney–Avia team worn by Willy Monty in 1971, the final season of his professional career.
A handwritten dedication accompanied by Willy Monty’s signature appears on the chest. This inscription establishes a personal link between the rider and the collection. The period photograph showing Monty in the same colours confirms the visual identity of the Watney–Avia kit.
This jersey brings together a leading Belgian champion, his final professional team and the last year of his career. Its long-sleeved cut, knitted fabric and embroidered emblems illustrate the craftsmanship of cycling clothing in the early 1970s.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey preserves the memory of a consistent and courageous rider from Hainaut, capable of excelling in both stage races and the major classics.
ITEM N° 620
MORTENSEN Leif (DK)
(05.05.1946)
His "BIC" team silk jersey, worn from 1970 to 1974
Born on 5 May 1946 in Frederiksberg, Leif Mortensen is regarded as one of the greatest Danish cyclists of his generation. A remarkable all-rounder and an excellent stage racer, he made his mark on the international stage by winning the silver medal in the road race at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.
In 1969, he became amateur world road champion and also took silver in the team time trial. Turning professional with BIC in 1970, he immediately confirmed his talent by winning the silver medal at the professional world championships, beaten only by the Belgian Jean-Pierre Monseré. (Leif Mortensen’s Olympic and world career)
Riding for BIC, Mortensen finished sixth in the 1971 Tour de France, won the Trophée Baracchi with Luis Ocaña that same year, and went on to win the 1973 Tour of Belgium. His list of achievements also includes a stage win at Paris–Nice and several top-ten finishes in major international races.
This silk jersey from the French BIC team was worn by Leif Mortensen between 1970 and 1974, a period covering the bulk of his professional career.
The BIC team at that time brought together several major champions, including Luis Ocaña, Joaquim Agostinho, Jean Stablinski and Lucien Aimar. Leif Mortensen played a key role within the team thanks to his skills as a road racer, his consistency and his ability to tackle difficult routes. This jersey brings together an amateur world champion, an Olympic and world medallist, and an iconic team from the cycling scene of the 1970s.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey commemorates Leif Mortensen’s five seasons with BIC and pays tribute to one of the first Danish riders to have made his mark at the highest international level.
ITEM N° 630
MOSER Francesco (I)
(26.11.1986)
His jersey he wore at the 1984 Paris-Bercy Six Days
Born on 19 June 1951 in Palù di Giovo, in Trentino, Francesco Moser is one of the greatest Italian champions in the history of cycling. Nicknamed ‘Lo Sceriffo’ — ‘the Sheriff’ — he stood out for his power, his tactical acumen and his exceptional all-round riding ability.
World Road Champion in 1977, he won three consecutive editions of Paris–Roubaix, from 1978 to 1980, two Tours of Lombardy and the 1984 Milan–San Remo. His honours also include the 1984 Giro d’Italia, four points classifications in the Giro and twenty-three stage wins in that race.
Moser was also one of the great track specialists. In January 1984, in Mexico City, he broke the symbolic 50-kilometres-per-hour barrier thanks to scientific preparation and a bike fitted with lenticular wheels. This performance helped make 1984 the most famous season of his career.
This item is a jersey worn by Francesco Moser during the 1984 Paris-Bercy Six Days, a competition he won alongside the Dutchman René Pijnen. This victory serves as a reminder that Moser did not limit his activities to road racing. He took part in numerous winter track meets and won several Six Days events, often alongside René Pijnen.
This jersey brings together one of Italy’s greatest champions, an international track victory and the most prestigious season of his career.
Its tricolour design, race number and specific design for indoor competitions make it a valuable testament to the world of the Six Days. It evokes a spectacular form of cycling, punctuated by relay legs, sprints and long nights of racing in front of large crowds.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey preserves the memory of Francesco Moser and René Pijnen’s victory at the 1984 Paris-Bercy Six Days. It bears witness to the exceptional versatility of ‘The Sheriff’, a champion equally formidable on cobbled roads, in Grand Tours, in time trials and on velodromes.
