The jerseys - 54
ITEM N° 529
NILSSON Sven-Åke (S)
(13.09.1951)
His 1981 Semaine Catalane winner’s jersey
Born on 13 September 1951 in Malmö, Sven-Åke Nilsson was one of the finest Swedish cyclists of his generation. An excellent all-rounder and a solid climber, he stood out for his consistency in stage races and his ability to keep up with the best on mountainous routes.
As an amateur, Nilsson became Swedish road champion in 1972. Two years later, he won the World Team Time Trial Championship with the Swedish national team. After winning the 1976 Tour de l’Avenir, he turned professional in 1977.
He remained a professional until 1984, riding for teams including Miko–Mercier, Splendor–Wickes, Wolber–Spidel and Santini–Conti. His list of victories includes the Tour de Corse, the Étoile des Espoirs, stages of Paris–Nice and the Critérium International, as well as the 1981 Semaine Catalane.
This item is a leader’s jersey associated with Sven-Åke Nilsson’s overall victory in the 1981 Semaine Catalane.
In 1981, Sven-Åke Nilsson won the general classification of the Semaine Catalane ahead of the Spaniards Vicente Belda and Alberto Fernández. His Splendor–Wickes team also triumphed in the prologue, which took the form of a team time trial.
This jersey brings together a pioneer of Swedish cycling, a major Spanish stage race and one of the finest seasons of Sven-Åke Nilsson’s career. A handwritten dedication and signature are visible on the upper part of the jersey. They lend the item a personal touch and reinforce its connection to Sven-Åke Nilsson. The combination of the distinctive jersey, the dedication and the image of the rider thus forms a valuable historical record of this victory.
ITEM N° 222
OCAÑA Luis (E) (09.06.1945 – 19.05.1994)
His “Super Ser” silk jersey, worn in time trials in 1976
Luis Ocaña Pernía grew up in France, where his family settled in the Landes region. He discovered cycling in Mont-de-Marsan before turning professional in 1968.
An aggressive climber and a remarkable all-rounder, Ocaña became Eddy Merckx’s main rival in the major stage races. His fiery temperament, his willingness to attack from afar and his refusal to play it safe made him one of the most spectacular champions of the 1970s.
His honours include the 1970 Vuelta a España, the 1973 Tour de France, three Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré titles, two Tours of the Basque Country, the Semana Catalana and nine stages of the Tour de France. He was also Spanish road champion in 1968 and 1972.
This item is a silk jersey from the Super Ser team worn by Luis Ocaña in the time trials of the 1976 season.
The name ‘Super Ser’, now heavily faded, remains visible on the wide central white stripe. This deterioration illustrates the fragility of markings applied to very fine fabrics.
The item is accompanied by a letter sent by Luis Ocaña to Noël Grégoire on 9 December 1987. This letter constitutes a particularly important document of provenance. In it, Ocaña discusses his search for mementoes kept after his career and the sending of cycling kit to the collector. The personal tone of the letter shows that the transfer was not the result of a mere commercial transaction, but of a direct relationship between the former champion and the recipient. The handwritten signature at the bottom of the letter establishes a tangible link between Luis Ocaña, the Super Ser jersey and the collection. The combination of the garment and this correspondence helps to document not only the item’s use in sport, but also its journey following the rider’s retirement.
ITEM N° 223
OCAÑA Luis (E)
(09.06.1945 – 19.05.1994)
His "Frisol–Gazelle–Thirion" team jersey, worn in 1977
Born on 9 June 1945 in Priego, in the Spanish province of Cuenca, Luis Ocaña Pernía grew up in France, where his family settled in the Landes region. He began cycling in Mont-de-Marsan before turning professional in 1968.
An aggressive climber and a remarkable all-rounder, Ocaña quickly established himself as Eddy Merckx’s main rival in the major stage races. His fiery temperament, his penchant for attacking and his determination to turn tactical situations on their head made him one of the most spectacular champions of the 1970s.
His list of honours includes the 1970 Vuelta a España, the 1973 Tour de France, three Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré titles, two Tour of the Basque Country titles, the Semana Catalana and nine stages of the Tour de France. He was also Spanish road champion in 1968 and 1972.
This item is a jersey from the Frisol–Gazelle–Thirion team worn by Luis Ocaña during the 1977 season, the last of his professional career.
An autographed photograph accompanies the jersey. In it, Luis Ocaña is pictured wearing a similar Frisol–Gazelle–Thirion kit. The handwritten dedication to Grégoire and the champion’s signature lend this set a personal touch. The photograph taken during a race shows the same white design, black logos and coloured stripes on the shoulders and sleeves. It places the garment in the context of its use during the 1977 season. The combination of the jersey and the signed portrait thus establishes a direct link between the item, Luis Ocaña and the collector.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey preserves the memory of Luis Ocaña’s final professional season in 1977. Accompanied by his signed portrait, it pays tribute to a passionate and rebellious champion, whose feats against Eddy Merckx and his victory in the 1973 Tour de France are part of cycling legend.
