Race vehicle identification plates - 19
ITEM N° 706
Press vehicle number plate from Liège–Bastogne–Liège 2001
This number plate relates to Liège–Bastogne–Liège 2001, the eighty-seventh edition of the famous Ardennes classic, held on 22 April over a distance of 258 kilometres. Nicknamed ‘La Doyenne’, the race is the oldest of the major cycling classics still held today.
The green plate bears the Liège–Bastogne–Liège logo, the year 2001, the word ‘press’ and the number 605. It was intended to identify an accredited vehicle carrying journalists, photographers or media representatives within the large mobile organisation accompanying the race.
The 2001 edition was won in Ans by the Swiss rider Oscar Camenzind, a member of the Lampre–Daikin team. After the field was whittled down on the final climbs, five riders contested the victory together. Camenzind proved the fastest in the sprint, finishing ahead of the Italians Davide Rebellin and Francesco Casagrande, as well as the Spaniard David Etxebarria and the Dutchman Michael Boogerd.
The winner covered the 258 kilometres in 6 hours 42 minutes 38 seconds, at an average speed of 38.447 km/h. A former road world champion in 1998 and winner of the Tour of Lombardy that same year, Oscar Camenzind added one of cycling’s five Monuments to his prestigious list of achievements with this victory.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this plaque bears witness to the vital role played by the media in the organisation of the great classics. It also preserves the memory of Oscar Camenzind’s victory in one of the most demanding and iconic races on the international calendar.
ITEM N° 707
2001 Liège–Bastogne–Liège race plaque
This plaque commemorates the 2001 Liège–Bastogne–Liège, the eighty-seventh edition of the famous Ardennes classic, which took place on 22 April over a distance of 258 kilometres. Established in 1892 and nicknamed ‘La Doyenne’, the race is the oldest of the major cycling classics still held today.
Rectangular in shape and green in colour, the plaque bears the number 605, as well as the official Liège–Bastogne–Liège logo and the year 2001. It was likely used to identify one of the accredited vehicles forming part of the race organisation. Its design directly evokes the rugged terrain of the Ardennes and the numerous climbs that characterise the race.
The 2001 edition was won in Ans by the Swiss rider Oscar Camenzind, a member of the Lampre–Daikin team. After the field was whittled down on the final climbs, five riders battled it out for victory. Camenzind proved the fastest in the sprint, ahead of Davide Rebellin, David Etxebarria, Francesco Casagrande and Michael Boogerd.
The winner covered the 258 kilometres in 6 hours 42 minutes 38 seconds, at an average speed of 38.447 km/h. World Road Champion in 1998 and winner of the Tour of Lombardy that same year, Oscar Camenzind thus added Liège–Bastogne–Liège, one of cycling’s five Monuments, to his prestigious list of achievements.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this plaque provides a valuable insight into the practical organisation of ‘La Doyenne’. It also serves as a reminder of Oscar Camenzind’s victory in one of the oldest, most demanding and most iconic classics on the international calendar.
ITEM N° 708
Press vehicle number plate from Liège–Bastogne–Liège 2002
This plate relates to the 2002 Liège–Bastogne–Liège, the eighty-eighth edition of the famous Ardennes classic, held on 21 April over a distance of 258 kilometres. Established in 1892 and nicknamed ‘La Doyenne’, the race is the oldest of the major cycling classics still held today.
Turquoise in colour, the badge bears the Liège–Bastogne–Liège logo, the year 2002, the UCI World Cup emblem, the word ‘Press’ and the number 790. It identified an accredited vehicle carrying journalists, photographers or media representatives as part of the mobile organisation accompanying the race.
The 2002 edition was won in Ans by the Italian Paolo Bettini, a member of the Mapei–Quick Step team. On the Saint-Nicolas climb, Stefano Garzelli launched an attack and only his team-mate Bettini managed to keep up with him. The two men crossed the finish line together, where Bettini won the sprint ahead of Garzelli. Ivan Basso completed an all-Italian podium, finishing fifteen seconds behind.
Paolo Bettini covered the 258 kilometres in 6 hours 39 minutes 44 seconds, at an average speed of 38.726 km/h. Having already won Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2000, this marked his second victory in ‘La Doyenne’. This win also contributed to his overall triumph in the 2002 Cycling World Cup.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this plaque bears witness to the vital role played by the media in the organisation and popularity of the major classics. It also commemorates the remarkable one-two finish achieved by Paolo Bettini and Stefano Garzelli whilst riding for the formidable Mapei team.
