The jerseys - 83
ITEM N° 339
WILLEMS Daniel (B)
(16.08.1956 – 02.09.2016)
His points classification winner’s jersey from the 1980 Paris–Nice
Born on 16 August 1956 in Herentals, in the province of Antwerp, Daniel Willems is a Belgian cyclist with a particularly well-rounded profile. Fast, powerful and a strong time-trialist, he enjoyed a professional career from 1978 to 1985.
He established himself among the best Belgian riders as early as 1979 by winning the Tour of Belgium, the Four Days of Dunkirk, the Frankfurt Grand Prix and the Scheldt Grand Prix. He also finished third in the Tour of Flanders and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. In March 1980, riding for IJsboerke–Warncke Eis, Willems took part in Paris–Nice. Finishing second in the prologue, he performed consistently throughout a race contested in particularly difficult weather conditions and won the points classification. His 1980 season continued with six stage wins, the points classification and the overall classification in the Tour de Suisse. He also won the Tour of Andalusia and rounded off the year with a prestigious victory in Paris–Tours.
Winner of the Flèche Wallonne in 1981, Daniel Willems went on to win four stages of the Tour de France, two in 1981 and two in 1982. He finished seventh in the general classification of the 1982 edition.
The item on display is the 1980 Paris–Nice points classification winner’s jersey worn by Daniel Willems.
The accompanying photograph shows Daniel Willems giving his all whilst wearing his IJsboerke team jersey. It places the item within the context of a rider who, in the early 1980s, was regarded as one of the great hopes of Belgian cycling.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey preserves the memory of Daniel Willems’ victory in the points classification at the 1980 Paris–Nice and bears witness to one of the most brilliant seasons of his career.
ITEM N° 448
WILLEMS Daniel (B)
(16.08.1956 – 02.09.2016)
His ‘Van de Ven–Safir’ jersey, worn in 1985
Daniel Willems is a particularly talented Belgian cyclist. Fast, powerful and a strong time-trialist, he turned professional in 1978 following a brilliant amateur career.
He made his mark as early as 1979 by winning the Tour of Belgium, the Four Days of Dunkirk, the Frankfurt Grand Prix and the Scheldt Grand Prix. He also finished third in the Tour of Flanders and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. In 1980, Willems won Paris–Tours, the Tour of Andalusia and six stages of the Tour de Suisse. The following year, he won the Flèche Wallonne as well as two stages of the Tour de France. He added a further two Tour de France stages to his list of victories in 1982 and finished seventh in the general classification.
His career, marked by numerous victories, came to a premature end in 1985. For his final professional season, Daniel Willems joined the Belgian Van de Ven–Safir team. This team offered him one last chance to continue competing after having ridden for IJsboerke, Capri-Sonne, Boule d’Or and Murella.
The item on display is the long-sleeved jersey worn by Daniel Willems whilst riding for the Van de Ven–Safir team in 1985. It therefore dates from the final period of the Belgian champion’s career. This jersey does not commemorate a specific victory, but rather the final season of a rider who was regarded as one of the leading Belgian talents of his generation. It bears witness to the conclusion of a career that was as brilliant as it was cut short.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey preserves the memory of Daniel Willems’s 1985 season and his time with the Van de Ven–Safir team.
ITEM N° 342
WINNEN Peter (NL)
(05.09.1957)
His white jersey as Best Young Rider in the 1981 Tour de France
Born on 5 September 1957 in Ysselsteyn, in Dutch Limburg, Peter Winnen is a former professional cyclist who specialised in climbing. Light on his feet and with great stamina, he was one of the best Dutch climbers of the 1980s.
After finishing second in the Peace Race in 1980, he competed in the Moscow Olympic Games that same year. He then turned professional and joined the Capri-Sonne–Koga Miyata team for the 1981 season.
In his first appearance in the Tour de France, Winnen won the seventeenth stage between Morzine and Alpe d’Huez. This victory, achieved at the summit of one of cycling’s most famous climbs, revealed his qualities as a climber to the wider public.
He finished that Tour in fifth place overall and won the Best Young Rider classification. In 1982, he won another mountain stage in Morzine and finished fourth overall.
In 1983, he triumphed for a second time at Alpe d’Huez and took third place on the Tour de France podium. He also finished runner-up twice in the Tour de Suisse, before becoming Dutch road champion in 1990. His professional career came to an end in 1991.
The item on display is the white Best Young Rider’s jersey won by Peter Winnen during the 1981 Tour de France. Presented sleeveless, the jersey serves as a reminder of his victory at Alpe d’Huez, his fifth place overall and the emergence of a new talent in the mountains.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey preserves the memory of Peter Winnen’s victory in the Best Young Rider classification at the 1981 Tour de France and his first triumph at the summit of Alpe d’Huez.
