The jerseys - 8
ITEM N° 034
BOCKLANT Willy (B)
(26.01.1941 - 06.06.1985)
His ‘Pull Over Centrale – Tasmania’ jersey, worn in 1968
Willy Bocklant was a Belgian professional cyclist and a leading figure in the sport during the 1960s. An attacking rider and an excellent one-day race specialist, he particularly distinguished himself in the classics and semi-classics, where his combative spirit enabled him to secure several significant victories.
A professional from 1962 to 1969, Bocklant enjoyed one of his best seasons in 1964. That year, he notably won Liège–Bastogne–Liège, one of the most prestigious classics on the international calendar. He also triumphed in other major races and forged a solid reputation within the highly competitive Belgian peloton of that era.
During his career, Willy Bocklant rode for several teams, including Flandria-Romeo. His relatively short professional career is remembered for his success in the ‘Doyenne des classiques’ and his numerous performances in the major Belgian races.
The jersey presented here is a ‘Pull Over Centrale – Tasmania’ jersey worn in 1968. This item is a valuable testament to professional cycling in the late 1960s and to Willy Bocklant’s career. It also illustrates an era when jerseys, through their materials, cuts and advertising logos, possessed a particularly distinctive visual identity.
ITEM N° 036
BONTEMPI Guido (I)
(12.01.1960)
His leader’s jersey from the 1988 International Week of Sicily
Guido Bontempi is a former Italian professional cyclist, one of the great sprinters of his generation. A professional from 1981 to 1995, he stood out for his power, speed and ability to win both in bunch sprints and in certain classics. Nicknamed ‘Il Bufalo’, he was one of the leading figures in Italian cycling in the 1980s and early 1990s.
During his long career, Bontempi racked up a huge number of victories. He particularly excelled in the Grand Tours, notably securing 16 stage wins in the Giro d’Italia, as well as six stages in the Tour de France. Among his most prestigious successes were also the 1984 and 1986 editions of Gent–Wevelgem. An all-rounder despite his reputation as a sprinter, he rode for major Italian teams, notably Carrera, with whom he achieved many of his successes.
The jersey presented here is the leader’s jersey from the 1988 Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale di Sicilia. Particularly striking with its vertical red and yellow stripes, it bears the inscription ‘Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale di Sicilia’ on the chest, along with the name of his team, Carrera. This item bears witness to Guido Bontempi’s presence at the forefront of this major Italian stage race.
Preserved with a personal dedication from Guido Bontempi, this jersey is a valuable testament to Italian professional cycling in the late 1980s and to the career of one of the most prolific sprinters of his era.
ITEM N° 449
BONTEMPI Guido (I)
(12.01.1960)
His ‘Inoxpran’ time trial jersey, worn in 1981
Born on 12 January 1960 in Gussago, Lombardy, Guido Bontempi is a former Italian cyclist. A powerful sprinter and excellent all-rounder, he excelled on both the road and the track. Guido Bontempi turned professional in 1981 with the Inoxpran team. In his very first season, he won two stages of the Vuelta a España and the first half-stage of the Giro d’Italia. This victory allowed him to wear the pink jersey briefly.
During his long professional career, which lasted until 1995, Bontempi won sixteen stages of the Giro d’Italia, six stages of the Tour de France and four stages of the Vuelta a España. He also won the points classification at the 1986 Giro.
His list of victories includes prestigious classics, notably Ghent–Wevelgem in 1984 and 1986, Paris–Brussels in 1986 and the E3 Grand Prix in 1988. As the winner of the prologue of the 1988 Tour de France, he also wore the yellow jersey.
This item is presented as a time trial jersey worn by Guido Bontempi in 1981, during his first professional season riding for the Inoxpran team.
This jersey bears witness to Guido Bontempi’s professional debut and a season in which he excelled simultaneously on the road and on the track.
The autographed photograph of Guido Bontempi wearing the Inoxpran kit further confirms the item’s authenticity and its connection to the rider.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this kit is a valuable record of the early career of Guido Bontempi, one of the most prolific Italian sprinters of his generation.
