Race vehicle identification plates - 14
ITEM N° 700
Vehicle number plate – 32nd Amstel Gold Race 1997
This number plate relates to the 32nd Amstel Gold Race, held on 26 April 1997 in the Dutch province of Limburg. The race ran from Heerlen to Maastricht over a hilly 258-kilometre route.
Oval in shape, the plate features the race’s burgundy and cream colours as well as its former emblem. It bears the number 15, the year 1997 and the name of the regional daily newspaper *Limburgs Dagblad*, which was closely associated with the race at the time.
The perforations indicate that it was intended to be affixed to an official vehicle, likely belonging to the organisers, the press or the support convoy accompanying the riders.
The 1997 edition was won by the Dane Bjarne Riis, a member of the Deutsche Telekom team. After catching up with the leading group and overcoming a puncture, he launched a powerful solo attack in the final stages of the race.
Riis crossed the finish line in Maastricht 46 seconds ahead of the Italian Andrea Tafi and the Swiss Beat Zberg. He thus became the first Danish rider to have his name added to the Amstel Gold Race honours list.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this plaque reflects the race’s visual identity and preserves the memory of one of the most remarkable solo victories in its history.
ITEM N° 701
Vehicle number plate – 33rd Amstel Gold Race 1998
This number plate relates to the 33rd Amstel Gold Race, held on Saturday 25 April 1998 in the Dutch province of Limburg. The 257.3-kilometre route started and finished in Maastricht.
Rounded in shape, the plate features the burgundy and cream colours characteristic of the event. It bears the number 156, the year 1998 and the name of the regional daily newspaper Limburgs Dagblad, a long-standing partner of the race.
The various perforations visible around its edge were used to attach it to an official vehicle. This vehicle could have belonged to the organisers, the press, a team or one of the technical support services accompanying the peloton.
Victory went to the Swiss rider Rolf Järmann, a member of the Casino–Ag2r team. He finished ahead of the Dutchman Maarten den Bakker at the finish in Maastricht, whilst the Italian Michele Bartoli came third, 21 seconds behind.
This was Rolf Järmann’s second victory in the Amstel Gold Race, five years after his first win in 1993. He thus became one of the few riders to have won the Dutch classic twice.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this plaque bears witness to the practical organisation of the race and preserves the memory of the second trio
ITEM N° 702
Press vehicle badge from the 2000 Giro d’Italia
This badge relates to the 2000 Giro d’Italia, the eighty-third edition of the Tour of Italy, which took place from 13 May to 4 June between Rome and Milan. It was intended to identify an accredited press vehicle following the race.
The item bears the inscriptions ‘83° Giro d’Italia’, ‘13 Maggio – 4 Giugno’ and ‘Stampa’. The number 111 identified the vehicle within the official convoy. The emblems of *La Gazzetta dello Sport*, the event’s long-standing organiser, and the car manufacturer Fiat highlight the links between the competition, the media and automotive partners.
This edition was won by the Italian Stefano Garzelli, a member of the Mercatone Uno–Albacom team. He finished in 98 hours 30 minutes 14 seconds, ahead of Francesco Casagrande, who came second, 1 minute 27 seconds behind, and Gilberto Simoni, who came third, 1 minute 33 seconds behind.
Garzelli secured the pink jersey for good during the mountain time trial between Briançon and Sestrières, the penultimate stage of the race. This victory was the greatest achievement of his career and cemented his status as one of the finest Italian cyclists of his generation.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this plaque bears witness to the media and logistical organisation of the Giro. It preserves the memory of the 2000 edition and Stefano Garzelli’s triumph on the roads of Italy.
