The trophies - 11
ITEM N° 572
CLAVEYROLAT Thierry (F)
(31.03.1959 – 07.09.1999)
His trophy for winning the 1992 French Team Cup
Born on 31 March 1959 in La Tronche, in the Isère department, Thierry Claveyrolat is a former French cyclist. A professional from 1983 to 1994, he established himself as one of the best French climbers of his generation.
Nicknamed ‘the Eagle of Vizille’, he particularly enjoyed long climbs and mountain stages. His attacking style and distinctive physique made him one of the most popular figures in the French peloton of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Thierry Claveyrolat won two stages of the Tour de France, in 1990 and 1991. He also won the mountains classification of the Tour de France in 1990, as well as several French races, including the mountains classification of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré.
In 1992, he rode for Team Z, a French team built around experienced riders. Thanks to the results achieved by its riders in the major national races, the team won the French Team Cup. This competition establishes a ranking based on performances across several French one-day races. It therefore rewards the consistency of the entire team rather than a single individual victory.
The item on display is the 1992 French Team Cup trophy awarded to Team Z and presented to Thierry Claveyrolat as a member of the winning team. The object takes the form of a stylised map of France crafted from gold-coloured metal. Several small plaques on it indicate the races on the calendar, notably the Grand Prix de Rennes, Paris–Camembert, the Climbers’ Trophy, the Grand Prix de Plumelec, the Grand Prix de Fourmies and the Tour du Haut-Var. In the centre are the inscriptions ‘Coupe de France’, ‘Peugeot Cycles’ and ‘1992’. The name of Team Z appears on the base, clearly identifying the winner of the team classification.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this artefact serves as a reminder that, beyond his personal achievements in the mountains, Thierry Claveyrolat also contributed to the collective successes of his teams. It preserves the memory of Team Z’s victory in the 1992 Coupe de France.
ITEM N° 069
CLOSE Alex (B)
(26.11.1921 – 21.10.2008)
His trophy for winning the 1948 Omnium de la Route for independent riders, dedicated to Richard Depoorter
Born on 26 November 1921 in Moignelée, in the province of Namur, Alex Close was a former Belgian professional cyclist. A professional from 1949 to 1959, he distinguished himself mainly in stage races, where his consistency and stamina enabled him to achieve several significant results.
Before turning professional, he competed in the ‘independents’ category, which at the time served as an intermediate step between the amateur and professional ranks. In 1948, he won the Omnium de la Route for independents, a competition organised by the newspaper *Les Sports*.
This victory heralded a distinguished career. Alex Close took part in eight editions of the Tour de France, finishing seventh in 1952, fourth in 1953 and fifth in 1955. That year, he won the general classification of the Tour of Belgium. His list of achievements also includes stage wins in several races and numerous podium finishes whilst riding for Belgian and French teams of the time.
The item on display is the trophy presented to Alex Close following his victory in the 1948 Omnium de la Route for independent riders. The trophy was presented to him by the Belgian sports journalist Théo Mathy, who can be seen standing beside him in the accompanying photograph.
This trophy is named after Richard Depoorter, a Belgian cyclist who died in an accident during the 1948 Tour de Suisse. Its dedication lends the object a commemorative significance that goes beyond Alex Close’s sporting victory alone.
The cup consists of a large, rounded metal vessel held in place by two side supports. It rests on a circular plinth of veined green stone, the shades of which contrast with the golden sheen of the metal. The engraved inscriptions refer to the ‘Richard Depoorter Trophy’, the Road Omnium for Independents, the organising body, the newspaper *Les Sports*, and the winner’s name. These inscriptions enable the award to be precisely placed within its historical context. The photograph shows Théo Mathy solemnly presenting the trophy to Alex Close. Preserved alongside the cup, it directly documents the ceremony and establishes a valuable link between the object, its donor and its recipient.
Displayed in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy bears witness to Alex Close’s promising early career whilst also honouring the memory of Richard Depoorter. It thus combines, in a single object, the celebration of a victory and a tribute to a champion who is no longer with us.
ITEM N° 499
CONTI Tino (I)
(26.09.1945 – 11.06.2026)
His trophy as winner of the 1975 Tour of Tuscany
Born on 26 September 1945 in Nibionno, Lombardy, Tino Conti is a former Italian professional cyclist. A professional from 1969 to 1978, he distinguished himself as an all-rounder, excelling in the classics and particularly at ease on undulating routes.
One of his most notable achievements came in 1976, when he won the bronze medal at the Road World Championships in Ostuni. He took his place on the podium behind his compatriots Freddy Maertens, representing Belgium, and Francesco Moser.
In 1975, Tino Conti won the Tour of Tuscany, a major Italian classic contested over a demanding route. He finished ahead of Franco Bitossi and the Belgian Roger De Vlaeminck, two of the most renowned riders of that era. This victory demonstrated his endurance and his ability to prevail against one-day race specialists. The accompanying photograph shows him crossing the finish line with his arms raised, wearing the Furzi-FT team jersey.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Tino Conti for his victory in the 1975 Tour of Tuscany. It stands as a direct testament to one of the major successes in his professional career. The trophy consists of a rounded metal cup, adorned with two small handles forming scrolls. Its intricately crafted body combines several decorative elements, including a female figure and plant motifs in relief. The whole rests on a square base of veined stone bearing a commemorative plaque.
The document displayed alongside the object details the race results — Tino Conti ahead of Franco Bitossi and Roger De Vlaeminck — as well as the handover of the trophy to the collection in 2016. The photograph taken with Angelo Santambrogio accompanies this handover.
Displayed in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy commemorates Tino Conti’s victory in the 1975 Tour of Tuscany. It links the memory of a prestigious Italian classic with that of a rider whose consistency was rewarded, the following year, with a place on the world podium.
