The trophies- 12
ITEM N° 077
CONTINI Silvano (I)
(15.01.1958)
His trophy for winning the 1983 Trofeo Baracchi, claimed alongside Daniel Gisiger
Born on 15 January 1958 in Leggiuno, Lombardy, Silvano Contini is a former Italian professional cyclist. A professional from 1978 to 1990, he excelled in both stage races and the major classics.
Finishing fifth in the Giro d’Italia in 1979, he won the Best Young Rider classification that year. He then confirmed his talent by winning the Tour of the Basque Country and the Tour of Germany in 1981.
The 1982 season marked the peak of his career. Winner of Liège–Bastogne–Liège, he also finished third in the Giro d’Italia after winning two stages. In total, Contini claimed four individual stage victories in the Giro.
In 1983, Silvano Contini teamed up with the Swiss rider Daniel Gisiger to compete in the Trofeo Baracchi, a prestigious two-man team time trial. On 23 October, between Pontedera and Pisa, the pair dominated the 98.2-kilometre course, finishing ahead of the duo of Hennie Kuiper and Adrie van der Poel.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Silvano Contini following his victory in the 1983 Trofeo Baracchi. It commemorates a unique event in which the power, endurance and perfect coordination of the two partners were essential. This silver-coloured cup features two side handles and a lid topped with a small figure of a cyclist. Its generously proportioned body rests on an ornate foot and a dark plinth bearing a commemorative plaque.
The photograph accompanying the object shows Silvano Contini personally presenting this trophy to Noël Gregoire in 1996. This direct handover establishes a precious link between the rider, his victory and the item now preserved.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy stands as a tangible testament to a success achieved by two time-trial specialists. It perpetuates the memory of Silvano Contini and Daniel Gisiger’s victory in one of the most renowned team time-trials of their era.
ITEM N° 092
DE MUYNCK Johan (B)
(30.05.1948)
The trophy he received during the 19th stage of the 1978 Giro d’Italia, between Brescia and Inverigo
Born on 30 May 1948 in Waarschoot, East Flanders, Johan De Muynck is a former Belgian professional cyclist. An excellent climber and a strong performer in stage races, he had a professional career spanning from 1971 to 1983.
In 1976, he finished second in the Giro d’Italia behind Felice Gimondi, having worn the pink jersey for much of the race. This performance foreshadowed his greatest success, achieved two years later whilst riding for the Bianchi-Faema team.
During the 1978 Giro, Johan De Muynck won the third stage in Pistoia and took the lead in the general classification. He then held onto the pink jersey until the final finish, despite attacks from Gianbattista Baronchelli and Francesco Moser. In Milan, he won the Giro d’Italia, finishing 59 seconds ahead of Baronchelli and 2 minutes 19 seconds ahead of Moser. He thus became the third Belgian to win the Giro, after Eddy Merckx and Michel Pollentier.
The item on display is a trophy presented to Johan De Muynck on the occasion of the 19th stage of the 1978 Giro, contested between Brescia and Inverigo. This stage was one of the final stages of his victorious march towards Milan. The cup consists of a large metal vessel fitted with two ornate handles. Its lower section, decorated with vertical reliefs, rests on a stem mounted on a pedestal with a mineral-like appearance. A plaque on the base likely commemorates the circumstances of its presentation. The trophy should therefore be regarded as a memento linked to his status as race leader rather than as a reward for a stage victory.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy bears witness to one of the final decisive moments of the 1978 Giro. It preserves the memory of the mastery with which Johan De Muynck defended his pink jersey right up to his overall victory.
ITEM N° 094
DE ROO Jo (NL)
(05.07.1937)
His trophy as winner of the 1962 Pernod Super Prestige
Born on 5 July 1937 in Schore, in the Netherlands, Jo de Roo is a former Dutch professional cyclist. A professional from 1958 to 1968, he made his mark primarily in the classics thanks to his endurance, power and tactical acumen.
After several seasons of learning the ropes, he reached the pinnacle of his career in 1962. Riding for Saint-Raphaël–Helyett, he won Bordeaux–Paris, Paris–Tours and the Tour of Lombardy. This remarkable consistency enabled him to win the Pernod Super Prestige, an international ranking honouring the season’s best riders.
Jo de Roo confirmed his calibre by once again winning Paris–Tours and the Tour of Lombardy in 1963. He also became Dutch road champion in 1964 and 1965, before winning the Tour of Flanders in 1965.
His list of achievements also includes three stage wins in the Tour de France. A leading figure in Dutch cycling of the 1960s, he was one of the few riders of his era capable of excelling in both the long classics and the stages of the Grand Tours.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Jo de Roo for his victory in the 1962 Pernod Super Prestige. This annual challenge, based on results achieved in major international competitions, was at the time one of the most prestigious honours in professional cycling. The trophy takes the form of a large gilded metal cup. Its deep, slightly flared bowl rests on a slender stem, which is in turn attached to a broad circular base. An engraved plaque on the plinth commemorates the name of the challenge and the Dutch rider’s victory.
The photograph on the left shows Jo de Roo holding this very cup several decades after it was awarded to him. The document reproduced on the right, accompanied by a handwritten dedication, also commemorates his title as the best rider of the 1962 season.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy preserves the memory of the most brilliant year of Jo de Roo’s career. It bears witness to his dominance in the major classics and to the important place he occupies in the history of Dutch cycling.
