The medals & plaques - 9
ITEM N°155
JANSSEN Jan (NL)
(19.05.1940)
His 1965 Parisien Libéré Grand Prix medal
Born on 19 May 1940 in Nootdorp, in the Netherlands, Jan Janssen turned professional in 1962. A well-rounded rider, fast in the sprint and particularly consistent, he quickly established himself amongst the finest European champions of his generation.
After several stage victories, he won Paris–Nice and the points classification in the Tour de France in 1964. That same year, on the gruelling circuit at Sallanches, he became world road champion, finishing ahead of the Italian Vittorio Adorni and the Frenchman Raymond Poulidor.
On 26 September 1965, Jan Janssen competed with the Pelforth–Sauvage–Lejeune team in the fifth and final edition of the Grand Prix du Parisien Libéré. This team time trial, organised by the newspaper Le Parisien Libéré, took place between Beauvais and Compiègne over a distance of approximately 130 kilometres. In heavy rain, the Pelforth team emerged victorious at the end of a particularly gruelling race. Jan Janssen was part of the winning team alongside, notably, the Frenchman Henri Anglade and the Belgian Willy Monty. The press photograph featured in the montage commemorates this collective victory.
The commemorative medal was presented to Jan Janssen in memory of this success. One side bears the inscription ‘Ve Grand Prix du Parisien Libéré – 26 September 1965’, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The other depicts the allegorical figures from the coat of arms of Compiègne framing a shield surmounted by a crown. The Latin motto ‘Regi et Regno Fidelissima’, visible on the medal, means ‘Most faithful to the king and the kingdom’. Traditionally associated with the town of Compiègne, it recalls the link between the host town and this sporting honour.
Jan Janssen went on to add to his remarkable list of achievements by winning Bordeaux–Paris in 1966, the Vuelta and Paris–Roubaix in 1967, and then the Tour de France in 1968. He thus became the first Dutchman to win the Tour de France. He also won the Tour de France points classification on three occasions.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this medal commemorates a team victory achieved in 1965 by Jan Janssen, then the reigning world champion and already a leading figure in international cycling.
ITEM N° 653
JANSSEN Jan (NL)
(09.05.1940)
Medal presented by the Koewacht supporters’ club following his 1964 world title
Jan Janssen began his professional career in 1962. A fast sprinter, a tough rider and blessed with remarkable tactical acumen, he quickly became one of the leading Dutch riders of his generation.
In 1963, he won two stages of the Tour de France. The following year, he won Paris–Nice, claimed two further stages of the Tour de France and took the points classification for the first time. On 6 September 1964, Jan Janssen competed in the World Championships on the mountainous circuit at Sallanches, in Haute-Savoie. After covering 290 kilometres in the rain, he outsprinted his breakaway companions to become world champion ahead of the Italian Vittorio Adorni and the Frenchman Raymond Poulidor.
This victory earned him the rainbow jersey and immense popularity in the Netherlands. Several towns, associations and supporters’ clubs then organised receptions in his honour. The supporters’ club of Koewacht, a town in Zeeland near the Belgian border, presented him with this commemorative medal. The medal bears the Dutch inscription ‘Geschonken door supportersclub’, meaning ‘presented by the supporters’ club’. In the centre is an engraving honouring Jan Janssen, who was crowned professional cycling world champion in 1964. The motto ‘Eendracht maakt macht’ can be translated as ‘Unity is strength’. The reverse side features the former coat of arms of the municipality of Koewacht. Suspended from a red ribbon accompanied by a small ribbon in the Dutch national colours, this honour stands as a direct testament to the enthusiasm generated by his world title.
Jan Janssen went on to add to his prestigious list of achievements by winning Bordeaux–Paris in 1966, the Vuelta and Paris–Roubaix in 1967, and then the Tour de France in 1968. He thus became the first Dutchman to win the Tour de France. His list of achievements also includes seven stage wins and three points classifications in the Tour de France.
The photographs depict two periods of his life. On the left, Jan Janssen is pictured at the height of his career, riding for the Bic team. On the right, many years later, he is once again wearing the rainbow jersey during a reunion event dedicated to former champions.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this medal commemorates both Jan Janssen’s world title and the public tribute paid to him by the Koewacht supporters’ club in 1964.
ITEM N° 473
JOACHIM Benoît (L)
(14.01.1976)
His 2004 Luxembourg time trial championship medal
Born on 14 January 1976 in Luxembourg, Benoît Joachim began competing in cycling at a very young age. After numerous successes in the junior categories, he turned professional in the late 1990s and joined the American US Postal Service team.
A powerful rider with great stamina and particularly valued for his work as a team mate, he took part in eleven Grand Tours during his career: two Tours de France, three Giro d’Italia and six Vuelta a España. In particular, he supported several leading riders for the US Postal Service team, and later for Discovery Channel. Benoît Joachim secured his first major professional title by becoming the Luxembourg road champion in 2000. He continued to play a prominent role in national cycling and won the championship once again in 2003.
On 26 and 27 June 2004, the Luxembourg championships were held in the capital. As the clear favourite for the individual time trial, Benoît Joachim dominated the 29-kilometre course in 41 minutes 03.42 seconds. He finished 28 seconds ahead of Pascal Triebel and more than three minutes ahead of Steve Fries.; This victory earned him his first Luxembourg time trial championship title.
The medal on display commemorates this success, achieved whilst riding for the US Postal Service–Berry Floor team. Suspended from a red, white and blue ribbon reflecting the Luxembourg national colours, the medal has two sides. One commemorates the championship and the title won in 2004. The other bears the emblem and name of the Luxembourg Cycling Federation, the competition’s organiser.
The 2004 season remains one of the most memorable of his career. A few months after winning his national title, Benoît Joachim rode for US Postal Service in the team time trial that secured victory in the Vuelta a España. He thus became the first Luxembourger to wear the Vuelta leader’s jersey. He confirmed his prowess as a time-trialist by winning the national time-trial championship for a second time in 2006. The following year, riding for Astana, he secured his third Luxembourg road championship title. His list of honours thus includes five national titles at professional level.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this medal commemorates the clear victory achieved by Benoît Joachim at the 2004 Luxembourg time trial championship.
