The jerseys - 58
PIECE N° 478
PELIER Joël (F)
(23.03.1962)
His "SKIL–SEM–KAS–MIKO" team kit from 1985
Born on 23 March 1962 in Valentigney, in the Doubs department, Joël Pelier is a French cyclist who turned professional between 1985 and 1990. A courageous and attacking rider, he stood out for his penchant for long breakaways and his ability to hold off the peloton’s chase.
His list of victories includes, notably, the Grand Prix de l’UC Bessèges and a stage of Paris–Nice in 1985, the Grand Prix d’Aix-en-Provence in 1986, and a stage of the Grand Prix du Midi Libre in 1988. Most notably, in 1989, he won the sixth stage of the Tour de France between Rennes and Futuroscope, following a remarkable solo breakaway. He competed in four Tours de France, in 1985, 1986, 1988 and 1989.
This item is a one-piece cycling jersey worn by Joël Pelier whilst riding for the SKIL–SEM–KAS–MIKO team during the 1985 season. That year marked Joël Pelier’s professional debut. He quickly secured his first victories and, in that very first year, took part in the Tour de France. This jersey thus bears witness to the period during which he discovered professional cycling and began to make a name for himself amongst the most combative French riders of his generation.
After retiring from professional cycling, Joël Pelier devoted himself in particular to woodcarving. The photograph showing him in his studio recalls this second artistic career, whilst the signed portrait lends the whole collection a personal and authentic character.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this piece preserves the memory of Joël Pelier’s professional debut in 1985. The SKIL cycling jersey, the signed portrait and the photograph taken in his studio bring together the two major aspects of his career: cycling and artistic creation.
PIECE N° 479
PELIER Joël (F)
(23.03.1962)
His "Système U" team jersey worn in 1988
Originally from Valentigney, in the Doubs department, Joël Pelier discovered cycling in his home region before being spotted by Jean de Gribaldy. Turning professional in 1985, he built a career up until 1990 characterised by his attacking style, his endurance and his penchant for long breakaways.
His list of victories includes, notably, the Grand Prix de l’UC Bessèges and a stage of Paris–Nice in 1985, the Grand Prix d’Aix-en-Provence in 1986, and a stage of the Grand Prix du Midi Libre in 1988. Most notably, he won the sixth stage of the 1989 Tour de France, between Rennes and Futuroscope, following a remarkable solo breakaway. He competed in four Tours de France, in 1985, 1986, 1988 and 1989.
This item is a jersey worn by Joël Pelier in 1988 whilst riding for the French Système U team. Joël Pelier joined Système U in 1987 and remained with the team for two seasons. This jersey bears witness to an important period in Joël Pelier’s career, during which he rode for one of the most prestigious French teams of the late 1980s.
After his cycling career, Joël Pelier devoted himself to woodcarving. The photographs of his works displayed alongside the jersey serve as a reminder of this second artistic vocation and further illustrate the portrait of a man driven by creativity, hard work and freedom.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this exhibit preserves the memory of Joël Pelier’s 1988 season whilst riding for Système U. The jersey, the portraits of the rider and the photographs of his sculptures thus bring together the two major aspects of his career: professional cycling and artistic creation.
PIECE N° 480
PELIER Joël (F)
(23.03.1962)
His "BH Sport" team jersey worn in 1989
The 1989 season holds a special place in Joël Pelier’s career. The Franc-Comtois rider, who had turned professional four years earlier, joined the Spanish BH Sport team that year. His courage, stamina and attacking spirit enabled him to secure the most memorable victory of his career.
Joël Pelier’s list of achievements was built up through breakaways and stage races. Notably, he won the Grand Prix de l’UC Bessèges and a stage of Paris–Nice in 1985, the Grand Prix d’Aix-en-Provence in 1986, and a stage of the Grand Prix du Midi Libre in 1988. He also competed in four Tours de France between 1985 and 1989.
On 6 July 1989, during the sixth stage of the Tour de France from Rennes to Futuroscope, Joël Pelier achieved his greatest feat. Having set off on a very long breakaway, he held off the peloton’s chase single-handedly and crossed the finish line as the winner. This spectacular and deeply moving victory remains one of the highlights of the 1989 Tour de France.
The item on display is a jersey worn by Joël Pelier during that memorable season whilst riding for BH Sport. The photographs accompanying the jersey place it in its sporting context. They show Joël Pelier wearing this kit, both during the race and whilst celebrating his victory. Together, they establish a direct link between the item on display and the French rider’s most prestigious achievement.
Displayed in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this item keeps alive the memory of Joël Pelier and his victory in the 1989 Tour de France. The BH Sport jersey and the photographs taken that year provide a particularly evocative record of the greatest success of his professional career.
