The jerseys - 80
ITEM N° 439
VIVIANI Elia (I)
(07.02.1989)
His ‘Liquigas-Doimo" jersey worn in 2010
Born on 7 February 1989 in Isola della Scala, in the province of Verona, Elia Viviani is an Italian cyclist who specialises in sprinting. Equally successful on the road and on the track, he has distinguished himself through his speed, tactical acumen and remarkable longevity.
After a junior career marked by numerous successes in the amateur ranks and on the velodromes, he turned professional in 2010 with the Italian team Liquigas-Doimo. In his very first season, he won a stage of the Tour of Turkey in a sprint finish, before going on to triumph in the Marco Pantani Memorial and at Binche–Tournai–Binche.
Viviani went on to build up an impressive international record. He won stages in all three Grand Tours, including four at the 2018 Giro d’Italia and one at the 2019 Tour de France. He also became European road champion in 2019.
On the track, he achieved his greatest success by winning the omnium at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. A bronze medallist in Tokyo and then a silver medallist in the madison in Paris in 2024, he also claimed three world titles in the elimination race before bringing his professional career to an end in 2025.
The item on display is the Liquigas-Doimo jersey worn by Elia Viviani in 2010, the year he made his debut in the professional peloton. Handwritten inscriptions and several signatures are visible on the front of the jersey. These details enhance the item’s personal character and bear witness to its history following its use in competition.
This jersey is not yet associated with the Olympic, World or European titles the rider went on to win. Rather, it preserves the memory of his early days, when the young Italian sprinter was beginning to make a name for himself amongst the professionals.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this signed jersey bears witness to Elia Viviani’s professional debut and his first season riding for Liquigas-Doimo in 2010.
ITEM N° 364
VLAEMYNCK Lucien (B)
(19.08.1914 – 14.06.1994)
His "Alcyon" jersey, worn between 1935 and 1946
Born on 19 August 1914 in Izenberge, West Flanders, Lucien Vlaemynck was a Belgian cyclist whose professional career spanned from 1935 to 1949. A consistent and resilient rider, he excelled in both stage races and the classics.
He achieved one of his first major successes by winning the Critérium du Midi in 1937, then claimed the overall classification in the Tour de Luxembourg in 1938. The following year, he finished second in the same race.
In 1939, in his only appearance in the Tour de France, Lucien Vlaemynck took a remarkable third place in the general classification, behind his compatriot Sylvère Maes and the Frenchman René Vietto.
His career was interrupted by the Second World War, but he continued to achieve significant results. He came second in the Flèche Wallonne in 1945, took third place on the podium at Paris–Roubaix in 1946, and then finished third in Gent–Wevelgem in 1947.
The item on display is the Alcyon jersey worn by Lucien Vlaemynck between 1935 and 1946. It dates from the most memorable period of his career, during which he won the Tour de Luxembourg and finished on the podium at the Tour de France. The photograph on the left shows Lucien Vlaemynck racing in the Alcyon colours, whilst the portrait on the right bears a handwritten dedication from the rider. This kit bears witness to an era when simple, sturdy woollen jerseys accompanied riders on particularly long and difficult routes. It also serves as a reminder of the important role played by the Alcyon brand in the history of European cycling.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey preserves the memory of Lucien Vlaemynck, who finished third in the 1939 Tour de France and was a regular contender in the major cycling events of his era.
ITEM N° 561
VONA Franco (I)
(20.08.1964)
The jersey he wore during the 1991 Tour de Suisse
Born on 20 August 1964 in Ripi, in the Italian province of Frosinone, Franco Vona is a former Italian professional cyclist. A strong climber, he made his mark primarily in stage races and on mountainous routes.
He turned professional in 1987 and, the very next year, won a stage of the Giro d’Italia. In 1991, he joined the Jolly Componibili–Club 88 team, where he became one of the leading riders.
During the 1991 Tour de Suisse, Franco Vona won the sixth stage, held on 24 June between Bürglen-Altdorf and Ulrichen over 252 kilometres. At the end of a long, mountainous day, he finished 1 minute and 42 seconds ahead of Robert Millar and more than three minutes ahead of Maurizio Fondriest.
He enjoyed his best season in 1992, winning two stages of the Giro d’Italia, which he finished in sixth place. That same year, he finished eleventh in the Tour de France after taking second place in two major mountain stages. He ended his professional career in 1996.
The item on display is the jersey worn by Franco Vona during the 1991 Tour de Suisse. It is directly linked to one of the most memorable victories of his career, achieved on the mountainous roads leading to Ulrichen. The photograph accompanying the jersey shows the Italian rider crossing the finish line with his arms raised. It directly evokes his stage victory in the 1991 Tour de Suisse and places the jersey in its sporting context.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this signed jersey preserves the memory of Franco Vona’s victory in the sixth stage of the 1991 Tour de Suisse and bears witness to the career of a formidable Italian climber of the 1980s and 1990s.
