The trophies - 15
ITEM N° 361
DHAENENS Rudy (B)
(10.04.1961 – 06.04.1998)
His winner’s trophy from the second stage of the 1990 Tour of Asturias, between Avilés and Llanes
Born on 10 April 1961 in Deinze, East Flanders, Rudy Dhaenens is a former Belgian professional cyclist. A professional from 1983 to 1992, he was renowned for his fighting spirit, stamina and effectiveness in the classics.
After several top-ten finishes in the major northern races, he won Gent–Wevelgem in 1987. His attacking style also saw him finish on the podium twice at Paris–Roubaix.
On 30 May 1990, Rudy Dhaenens won the second stage of the Tour of Asturias, contested between Avilés and Llanes. This victory on the rugged roads of northern Spain demonstrated his qualities as an all-round rider.
A few months later, he achieved his crowning glory at the World Championships in Utsunomiya, Japan. Having broken away with his compatriot Dirk De Wolf, he outpaced him in the sprint to become world road champion.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Rudy Dhaenens for his stage victory in the 1990 Tour of Asturias. Its plaque bears the Spanish inscriptions ‘Vuelta a Asturias’, ‘Vencedor de la etapa Avilés–Llanes’ and the date 30 May 1990.
The trophy depicts an ancient fortified tower standing on a rocky outcrop. The crenellated walls, small openings and miniature staircase are reproduced with precision, giving the object the appearance of a scaled-down monument. This architectural representation likely refers to the historical heritage of the region through which the stage passed. The sculpture rests on a rectangular wooden plinth bearing the commemorative plaque.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this object commemorates a victory achieved a few months before Rudy Dhaenens’ greatest triumph. It stands as a unique testament to his exceptional 1990 season.
ITEM N° 456
DIEDERICH Bim (L)
(20.02.1922 – 06.12.2012)
His ‘Grand Prix des Villages Martyrs’ trophy
Born on 20 February 1922 in Esch-sur-Alzette, Jean Diederich, better known by the nickname Bim Diederich, was one of the leading figures in post-war Luxembourg cycling. A professional from 1946 to 1954, he stood out for his courage, endurance and attacking style.
In 1949, he won the general classification of the Tour de Luxembourg. He also finished runner-up in this race on five occasions, confirming his remarkable consistency in his country’s premier race. Bim Diederich took part in six editions of the Tour de France, winning three consecutive stages in 1950, 1951 and 1952. During the 1951 edition, he wore the yellow jersey for three days following his victory on the stage between Reims and Ghent. During that stage, his decisive attack on the ‘Mur de Grammont’ earned him the nickname ‘Duke of Grammont’. He rounded off his list of achievements with overall victory in the Tour de Lorraine in 1952 and several podium finishes in the Luxembourg championships.
After his sporting career, Bim Diederich remained deeply committed to cycling. In particular, he ran a bicycle shop in Pétange.
The item on display is a trophy from the Grand Prix des Villages Martyrs, a competition organised in the years following the Second World War and supported by the Luxembourg newspaper *Tageblatt*. The event paid tribute to the towns and communities severely affected by the conflict. The trophy takes the form of an elegant silver-plated metal cup. Its upper section, which flares out slightly, is adorned with a floral frieze composed of leaves arranged around its rim. The cup rests on a slender stem, which in turn is mounted on an imposing square plinth of dark stone. This piece serves both as a memento of Bim Diederich’s career and as a testament to the cycling competitions held in Luxembourg between 1948 and 1952. The accompanying photograph shows the champion during his visit to the Cycling Museum in 1997, surrounded by documents and artefacts dedicated to the history of cycling.
ITEM N° 106
DUPONT Marcel (B)
(10.10.1917 – 06.03.2008)
His trophy commemorating his fifth place in the 1949 Tour de France
Born on 10 October 1917 in Jupille, Marcel Dupont was a Belgian cyclist of the post-war era. A strong and consistent rider, he excelled mainly in stage races and events held in Belgium.
He took part in three editions of the Tour de France. After finishing twentieth in 1948, he achieved his best performance in 1949 by finishing fifth in the general classification and as the top Belgian rider in the race. This remarkable achievement, secured in one of the most gruelling events on the international calendar, stands as the highlight of his career. Marcel Dupont lined up at the start of the Tour again in 1950, but did not finish the race.
His list of achievements also includes a stage victory in the 1946 Tour of Belgium, as well as several wins in regional Belgian and international races. He then brought his career to a close and remained closely attached to the memory of cycling in his era for many years.
The item on display is the trophy commemorating his fifth place in the 1949 Tour de France. It is said to have been brought back by Marcel Dupont on his return from the Tour and kept as a memento of this major achievement. The object takes the form of a decorative sculpture that also serves as a clock. On a long black plinth, a kneeling athlete raises his right arm in a gesture evoking victory, effort and pushing oneself to the limit. Beside him is a small clock with a light-coloured dial, set within a structure with rounded lines. A plaque bearing the name Marcel Dupont is affixed to the lower part of the plinth.
With its distinctive post-war aesthetic and original composition, this trophy is a precious memento of the Belgian cyclist’s fifth-place finish in the 1949 Tour de France. The accompanying photograph shows Marcel Dupont, several years later, during a visit to the Cycling Museum in Lavux-Sainte-Anne.
