The trophies - 13
ITEM N° 100
DE VLAEMINCK Eric (B)
(23.03.1945 – 04.12.2015)
The trophy he won at the Goria cyclo-cross in Italy on 8 December 1970
Born on 23 March 1945 in Eeklo, East Flanders, Eric De Vlaeminck is a former Belgian cyclist. The elder brother of Roger De Vlaeminck, he remains one of the greatest cyclo-cross specialists in history.
A professional from 1966 to 1980, he stood out for his agility, power and exceptional technical skill on difficult terrain. Mud, snow and rugged courses provided the perfect backdrop for his greatest achievements.
Eric De Vlaeminck won the professional cyclo-cross world championship seven times, including six consecutive titles between 1968 and 1973. This record illustrates his dominance of the discipline at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s.
Equally successful on the road, he notably won the Tour of Belgium in 1969 and a stage of the 1968 Tour de France. This versatility made him one of the most distinctive and well-rounded figures in Belgian cycling of his era.
On 8 December 1970, whilst wearing the rainbow jersey, Eric De Vlaeminck triumphed in the Goria cyclo-cross in Italy. This victory came at the height of a period during which he largely dominated international competitions.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to the winner of that race. The body of the trophy rests on a slender stem attached to a circular wooden plinth. A metal plaque affixed to the plinth commemorates the Goria race and the date of 8 December 1970.
The accompanying photograph shows Eric De Vlaeminck holding the trophy himself. The image establishes a direct link between the champion, the Italian race and the object now held in the collection.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy bears witness to a victory achieved during the peak of Eric De Vlaeminck’s career. It evokes the dominance of a champion who left a lasting mark on the history of international cyclo-cross.
ITEM N° 105
DE WOLF Dirk (B)
(16.01.1961)
His trophy as winner of the 1991 Tour of the Apennines
Born on 16 January 1961 in Aalst, East Flanders, Dirk De Wolf is a former Belgian cyclist. A professional from 1983 to 1994, he excelled particularly in the classics thanks to his endurance, power and attacking style.
A particularly effective rider on long, undulating routes, he achieved several podium finishes in major international events. In 1990, he finished as runner-up in the World Road Championships in Utsunomiya, Japan, behind his compatriot Rudy Dhaenens.
On 24 March 1991, Dirk De Wolf won the Tour of the Apennines, one of Italy’s oldest semi-classics. He triumphed in Pontedecimo, in the Genoa region, at the end of a gruelling race traditionally favoured by climbers and specialists in undulating terrain.
This victory was one of the most significant achievements of his career. The following year, he achieved the pinnacle of his career by winning Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 1992, following a long breakaway led alongside Steven Rooks.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Dirk De Wolf for his victory in the 1991 Tour of the Apennines. It commemorates the success of a Belgian rider in an iconic race on the Italian calendar. The trophy takes the form of a large silver-coloured metal cup. Its wide bowl is flanked by two tall, angular and intricately crafted handles, which give it a particularly imposing silhouette.
The accompanying photograph shows Dirk De Wolf crossing the finish line alone, with his arms raised. It places the trophy directly within the context of the victory and captures the intensity of that sporting moment.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this object preserves the memory of a major success achieved in Italy. It bears witness to Dirk De Wolf’s fighting spirit and his place amongst the finest Belgian classics riders of his generation.
ITEM N° 349
DEJONCKHEERE Noël (B)
(23.04.1955 – 29.12.2022)
His ‘Banco Atlántico’ trophy, won in Málaga on 5 February 1984
Born on 23 April 1955 in Lendelede, West Flanders, Noël Dejonckheere is a former Belgian cyclist. Fast and powerful, he built his career around track events and road sprint finishes.
As an amateur, he became world champion in the points race in 1978. This title showcased his qualities as a track cyclist, based on speed, endurance and a remarkable sense of positioning.
A professional from 1979 to 1988, Noël Dejonckheere rode mainly for Spanish teams. He won numerous races on the Iberian Peninsula and distinguished himself particularly in the Vuelta a España, where he claimed several stage victories in the sprint.
On 5 February 1984, he took part in a cycling meeting held in Málaga. There, he won the Premio Omnium Ciudad de Málaga, a competition sponsored by Banco Atlántico, and was awarded the trophy now on display. The piece is an elegant silver-coloured metal cup, comprising a shallow bowl and two curved handles. Its classic, balanced design gives it the appearance of a traditional sporting trophy. The cup rests on a moulded stem attached to a rectangular wooden plinth. An engraved plaque bears the inscriptions ‘Premio Omnium Ciudad de Málaga’, ‘Trofeo Banco Atlántico’ and the date 5 February 1984, enabling the event to be identified precisely. The cup rests on a moulded stem attached to a rectangular wooden plinth. An engraved plaque bears the inscriptions ‘Premio Omnium Ciudad de Málaga’, ‘Trofeo Banco Atlántico’ and the date 5 February 1984, enabling the event to be identified precisely.
Following his racing career, Noël Dejonckheere remained active in cycling as a sports director and manager of professional teams. His experience has, in particular, guided several generations of riders within international teams.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy bears witness to Noël Dejonckheere’s versatility. It serves as a reminder of the career of a Belgian sprinter, a great many of whose successes were achieved on Spanish roads and velodromes.
