The jerseys - 76
ITEM N° 314
VAN SPRINGEL Herman (B)
(14.08.1943 – 25.08.2022)
The ceremonial yellow jersey he wore during the 1973 Tour de France
Born on 14 August 1943 in Ranst, in the province of Antwerp, Herman Van Springel is a former Belgian cyclist. A powerful road rider and long-distance specialist, he excelled in the classics, stage races and time trials.
In 1968, he came very close to winning the Tour de France. Wearing the yellow jersey at the start of the final stage, he was pipped by Jan Janssen in the final time trial and finished second in the general classification, just 38 seconds behind. That same year, he finished as runner-up in the World Championships and won the Tour of Lombardy. His list of victories also includes Ghent–Wevelgem, Paris–Tours, the Zurich Championship, the Belgian Championship and seven wins in Bordeaux–Paris. His dominance in this very long classic earned him the nickname ‘Monsieur Bordeaux–Paris’.
In 1973, riding for the Rokado team, Herman Van Springel took the lead in the Tour de France at the start of the race. He wore the yellow jersey for two days, corresponding to three half-stages. He went on to finish sixth in the general classification, won the final time trial in Versailles and claimed the points classification.
The item on display is a ceremonial yellow jersey worn by Herman Van Springel during the 1973 Tour de France. A handwritten dedication and Herman Van Springel’s signature appear on the front of the jersey. A photograph shows the cyclist personally presenting this item to Noël Grégoire, thereby reinforcing its authenticity and personal significance.
This jersey serves as a reminder of Herman Van Springel’s special connection with the yellow jersey. Having narrowly missed out on overall victory in 1968, the Belgian rider regained the lead in the general classification five years later, during the 1973 Tour de France.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this ceremonial yellow jersey preserves the memory of Herman Van Springel’s time at the head of the 1973 Tour de France. His dedication and the accompanying photographs make it a testament directly linked to one of the finest careers in Belgian cycling.
ITEM N° 315
VAN SPRINGEL Herman (B)
(14.08.1943 – 25.08.2022)
His traditional green jersey as winner of the points classification in the 1973 Tour de France
Born on 14 August 1943 in Ranst, in the province of Antwerp, Herman Van Springel is a former Belgian cyclist. An excellent all-rounder and long-distance specialist, he is regarded as one of the most complete riders of his generation.
Runner-up in the Tour de France and world championship runner-up in 1968, his notable victories include the Tour of Lombardy, Ghent–Wevelgem, Paris–Tours, the Zurich Championship and the Belgian Championship. His seven victories in Bordeaux–Paris earned him the nickname ‘Monsieur Bordeaux–Paris’.
In 1973, Herman Van Springel competed in the Tour de France as part of the Rokado team. Wearing the yellow jersey at the start of the race, he performed consistently throughout the three-week event. He won the final time trial in Versailles, finished sixth in the general classification and topped the points classification with 187 points.
The item on display is the ceremonial green jersey awarded to Herman Van Springel as the winner of the points classification in the 1973 Tour de France. This jersey illustrates Herman Van Springel’s versatility. Although not a pure sprinter, the Belgian won the points classification thanks to his consistency, his top-ten finishes and his ability to achieve results on a wide variety of terrains. This item symbolically completes his history with the Tour’s distinctive jerseys. Having worn the yellow jersey and finished second in 1968, Herman Van Springel returned to the top of the general classification in 1973 before finally bringing the green jersey back to Paris.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this ceremonial green jersey commemorates Herman Van Springel’s victory in the points classification of the 1973 Tour de France. Accompanied by photographs of the rider clad in green, it serves as a testament directly linked to one of the major honours of his career.
ITEM N° 426
VAN SPRINGEL Herman (B)
(14.08.1943 – 25.08.2022)
The white jersey he wore during the 1974 Tour de France
Herman Van Springel is a former Belgian cyclist. A powerful road rider and long-distance specialist, he excelled in the classics, the Grand Tours and time trials.
In 1968, he came very close to winning the Tour de France. Wearing the yellow jersey at the start of the final stage, he was pipped by Jan Janssen in the final time trial and finished second in the general classification, just 38 seconds behind. His list of victories includes Ghent–Wevelgem, the Tour of Lombardy, Paris–Tours, the Zurich Championship and the Belgian Championship. A seven-time winner of Bordeaux–Paris, he was nicknamed ‘Monsieur Bordeaux–Paris’. In 1973, Herman Van Springel once again wore the yellow jersey in the Tour de France. He finished sixth overall, won the final time trial in Versailles and took the points classification.
The following year, he joined the M.I.C.–Ludo–De Gribaldy team, managed by Jean de Gribaldy. His 1974 season was marked by victories in the Grand Prix E3, the Flèche Brabançonne and Bordeaux–Paris.
Herman Van Springel also took part in the 1974 Tour de France. Consistently strong, he finished the race in tenth place in the general classification. That edition was won by Eddy Merckx, pictured alongside him before the start of a stage.
The item on display is the white jersey worn by Herman Van Springel during that Tour de France. The visible marks and wear on the fabric bear witness to the jersey’s actual use. They lend this item a special documentary value by preserving the effects of time and the conditions encountered during the race.
Displayed in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey commemorates Herman Van Springel’s participation in the 1974 Tour de France. Together with the photograph showing him alongside Eddy Merckx, it serves as a direct testament to the history of that edition.
