The jerseys - 74
ITEM N° 304
VAN HOOYDONCK Edwig (B)
(04.08.1966)
His World Cup leader’s jersey, worn at Paris–Roubaix in 1989
Born on 4 August 1966 in Ekeren, in the province of Antwerp, Edwig Van Hooydonck is a former Belgian cyclist, specialising in the Flemish classics. His tall stature, his power on the cobbled sections and his attacking style made him one of the leading classics riders of his generation.
As early as 1987, Edwig Van Hooydonck demonstrated his qualities by winning the Flèche Brabançonne. He also finished fifth in Paris–Roubaix on his first attempt at the race, immediately demonstrating his ease on the cobbles and the challenging roads of the North. The 1989 season marked a major milestone in his career. Riding for the Superconfex–Yoko team, he won Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, then triumphed in the Tour of Flanders. After a decisive attack on the Bosberg, he rode the final kilometres alone and, at the age of 22, won his first Monument.
This victory saw him take the lead in the brand-new Road Cycling World Cup, created in 1989 to bring together the major international classics within an annual ranking. Edwig Van Hooydonck thus became the first Belgian rider to wear the distinctive leader’s jersey of this competition. On 9 April 1989, a week after his victory in the Tour of Flanders, he set off on Paris–Roubaix wearing this jersey. Regarded as one of the favourites, he tackled the 265 kilometres separating Compiègne from the Roubaix velodrome, as well as the numerous cobbled sections of the ‘Hell of the North’. The race was won by the Belgian Jean-Marie Wampers, ahead of his compatriot Dirk De Wolf. Edwig Van Hooydonck led the chasing group and finished in third place, 59 seconds behind the winner.
The item on display is the World Cup leader’s jersey worn by Edwig Van Hooydonck during that 1989 Paris–Roubaix. A handwritten inscription and the rider’s signature are visible on the upper part of the jersey.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey serves as a memento of a significant moment in Edwig Van Hooydonck’s career. Worn on the cobbles of Paris–Roubaix by the first Belgian to become World Cup leader, it stands as a testament directly linked to the history of the classics and Belgian cycling.
ITEM N° 308
VAN ITTERBEECK Benjamin (B)
(16.04.1964)
His 1991 Belgian Road Champion’s jersey
Born on 16 April 1964 in Heist-op-den-Berg, in the province of Antwerp, Benjamin Van Itterbeeck is a former Belgian cyclist. A versatile and resilient rider, he excelled mainly in one-day races, short stage races and competitions held on demanding courses.
Benjamin Van Itterbeeck turned professional at the end of the 1986 season with the Lotto team. In his early years, he won the Grand Prix de Betekom and the Puivelde Koerse, whilst finishing third overall in the Tour de Luxembourg in 1987. He also became Belgian pursuit champion in 1988. Following a victory in the Prix national de clôture in 1989, he triumphed in the Circuit Mandel–Lys–Escaut in 1990. These successes confirmed the qualities of a rider capable of holding his own on undulating courses and seizing his chance in one-day races.
The highlight of his career came on 30 June 1991 in Renaix. Riding for the Histor–Sigma team, Benjamin Van Itterbeeck won the Belgian Road Championship at the end of a 272-kilometre race. He finished 18 seconds ahead of Jim Van de Laer, whilst his team-mate Wilfried Peeters took third place.
The item on display is a Belgian champion’s jersey worn by Benjamin Van Itterbeeck following his 1991 title.
After winning the national title, Benjamin Van Itterbeeck continued his career until 1995. Notably, he won a stage of the Tour DuPont and a stage of the Route du Sud in 1993. That same year, he achieved one of his best performances in a major classic, finishing ninth in Paris–Roubaix. In 1996, having returned to the elite ranks without a contract, he once again became Belgian champion in this category.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey serves as a memento of Benjamin Van Itterbeeck’s greatest success. Its national colours, emblems and team logos make it a representative artefact of Belgian professional cycling in the early 1990s.
ITEM N° 310
VAN LINDEN Rik (B)
(28.07.1949)
His green silk jersey worn during the Six Days in 1975
Born on 28 July 1949 in Wilrijk, in the province of Antwerp, Henri, known as Rik Van Linden, is a former Belgian cyclist. A formidable sprinter, he excelled on both the road and the track, becoming one of the finest specialists in sprint finishes during the 1970s.
Rik Van Linden turned professional in 1971. In his very first season, he won Paris–Tours, one of the great French autumn classics. He triumphed in this race a second time in 1973, confirming his ability to hold his own over long distances before making the difference in the sprint. During his career, he won fifteen stages in the three Grand Tours: nine in the Giro d’Italia, four in the Tour de France and two in the Vuelta a España. He also won several stages of Paris–Nice and Tirreno–Adriatico, as well as Milan–Turin and the Tour of Sardinia.
The 1975 season marked one of the high points of his career. Riding for the Bianchi–Campagnolo team, Rik Van Linden won a stage of the Giro d’Italia, followed by three stages of the Tour de France. His consistency in bunch sprints enabled him to win the points classification in the Tour de France ahead of Eddy Merckx and bring the green jersey back to Paris. Alongside his road successes, Rik Van Linden regularly competed in track cycling events. In particular, he took part in the madison, omnium and derny races, as well as several Six Day events. Fast-paced and spectacular, these competitions took place in indoor velodromes and combined endurance, speed and tactical skill.
The item on display is a green silk jersey worn by Rik Van Linden during the 1975 Six Days. Its lightweight, glossy fabric is characteristic of certain track cycling kits from that period. This jersey bears witness to an era in which many road champions also took part in major winter track events.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this silk jersey preserves the memory of Rik Van Linden’s dual career on the road and on the track. Its colour, fabric and association with the 1975 Six Days make it a representative artefact of professional cycling in the 1970s.
