The jerseys - 1
PIECE N° 004
Mario AERTS (B)
(31.12.1974)
His winner's jersey from the 2001 Tour of Lucca.
Born in Herentals, in the province of Antwerp, Mario Aerts is one of the most consistent Belgian riders of his generation. Professional from 1996 to 2011, he built the majority of his career within the various teams of the Lotto structure.
From his first professional season, he won the 1996 Grand Prix d'Isbergues. The following year, he wins the general classification of the Circuit Franco-Belge and its mountain classification. The 2001 season sees him win the Tour of the Province of Lucca. The following year, he achieved the main victory of his career by winning the 2002 Flèche Wallonne, at the top of the Mur de Huy. In 2007, Mario Aerts became the first Belgian rider to finish all three Grand Tours — Giro, Tour de France, and Vuelta — in a single season.
This piece is the trophy awarded to Mario Aerts for his victory in the general classification of the Tour of the Province of Lucca 2001. This trophy combines an important Belgian cyclist, an international victory, and an Italian event that has now disappeared from the professional calendar.
Its provenance and the photographs of the winner with the piece enhance its historical value. They allow for the precise identification of the trophy and place it within the sports career of Mario Aerts.
Presented in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy thus serves as a remarkable memento of the 2001 Tour of the Province of Lucca and one of the main victories of Mario Aerts' career.
PIECE N° 441
Mario AERTS (B)
(31.12.1974)
His ‘Junior’ Tour de Wallonie jersey – 1993
Born on 31 December 1974 in Herentals, Mario Aerts is a former Belgian professional cyclist. Renowned for his consistency, stamina and ability on hilly courses, he went on to become one of the leading figures in Belgian cycling in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
During his professional career, spent mainly with various teams within the Lotto organisation, Mario Aerts’s notable victories included the Grand Prix d’Isbergues in 1996, the Circuit Franco-Belge in 1997, the Tour of the Province of Lucca in 2001 and, most notably, the Flèche Wallonne in 2002.
In 2007, he became the first Belgian rider to complete all three Grand Tours in a single season. He also finished eighth in the road race at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. After retiring from competitive cycling at the end of the 2011 season, he continued his career in cycling as a sports director.
This item is presented as a jersey worn by Mario Aerts during the 1993 ‘Junior’ Tour of Wallonia. It is a rare memento of his formative years, long before his major victories as a professional. This jersey is of particular interest as it documents Mario Aerts’ early years, prior to his move into professional cycling.
Displayed in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this red Lotto jersey is a precious memento of Mario Aerts’ early days and his early attachment to the roads of Wallonia.
PIECE N° 575
ALMEIDA João (P)
(05.08.1998)
His ceremonial white jersey as best young rider at the 2023 Giro d’Italia.
Born on 5 August 1998 in A dos Francos, in the municipality of Caldas da Rainha, João Almeida is a Portuguese cyclist. An excellent climber and a strong all-rounder, he stands out for his consistency, his endurance on long climbs and his ability to maintain a sustained effort.
He came to the attention of the wider public during the 2020 Giro d’Italia, his first Grand Tour. Wearing the pink jersey for fifteen days, he finished fourth in the general classification. This performance immediately confirmed his potential in major stage races.
In 2023, he delivered one of his best performances in a Grand Tour. He won the sixteenth stage of the Giro at the summit of Monte Bondone, finished third in the general classification and won the Best Young Rider classification.
This ceremonial white jersey for the best young rider was worn by João Almeida on the podium at the 2023 Giro d’Italia. It serves as a reminder of a defining moment in João Almeida’s career.
Its ceremonial nature links it directly to the ceremony held after one of the most important stages of that edition. Photographs showing João Almeida wearing this jersey on the podium reinforce its documentary value.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this white jersey stands as a remarkable testament to João Almeida’s rise to become one of the finest Grand Tour riders of his generation.
