The trophies - 17
ITEM N° 123
GÉRARDIN Louis « Toto » (F)
(12.08.1912 – 23.05.1982)
His ‘La Comète’ trophy, won at the Vél’ d’Hiv in 1931
Born on 12 August 1912 in Boulogne-Billancourt, Louis Gérardin was a French cyclist, specialising in track sprinting. Nicknamed ‘Toto’, he was one of the most popular figures on French velodromes during the 1930s and 1940s.
He made his mark at a very young age by winning the 1930 amateur world sprint championship at the age of eighteen. This success enabled him to quickly reach the very highest level and marked the start of a long career amongst the international sprinting elite.
Powerful, fast and possessing great tactical acumen, Gérardin became one of France’s leading sprinters. A multiple French champion, he competed against the best European specialists in meetings that drew large crowds to the major velodromes.
In the autumn of 1931, Louis Gérardin took part in a sprint event held at the Vélodrome d’Hiver in Paris, the famous ‘Vél’ d’Hiv’. His performance was rewarded with a spectacular trophy known as ‘La Comète’.
The piece on display is distinguished by its particularly original form. It depicts a winged female figure, stretched out in a pose evoking flight and speed. Her long hair, extending backwards in powerful, undulating lines, is reminiscent of the luminous trail of a comet streaking across the sky. The sculpture rests on a series of stacked circular forms, whose shapes may evoke movement, the wheels of a bicycle or the clouds through which the figure is passing. The golden patina accentuates the work’s prestigious character and highlights its Art Deco style, characteristic of the interwar period. With its slender, dynamic form and significant symbolic dimension, this trophy celebrates both the sprinter’s speed and the modernity of major track cycling competitions. It is a very different kind of award from the traditional cups usually presented to winners.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, the ‘La Comète’ trophy keeps alive the memory of the major events held at the Vél’ d’Hiv. It also bears witness to the prestige enjoyed from the very outset by Louis Gérardin, one of France’s leading specialists in track sprinting.
ITEM N° 127
GISIGER Daniel (CH)
(09.10.1954)
His jersey and winner’s trophy from the 1978 Étoile des Espoirs
Born on 9 October 1954 in Baccarat, France, Daniel Gisiger is a former Swiss cyclist. Turning professional in 1977, he enjoyed a remarkable career on both the road and the track, excelling particularly in time trials and team pursuits.
Before turning professional, he made a name for himself in 1977 by setting an amateur world hour record. In the same year, he won two bronze medals at the Track World Championships, in the individual pursuit and the team pursuit.
From the 1978 season onwards, Daniel Gisiger confirmed his prowess as a road racer. He won a time trial stage of the Tour de Romandie, the Grand Prix d’Isbergues and the general classification of the Étoile des Espoirs. He also took part in his first Tour de France that year.
Held from 10 to 15 October 1978, the Étoile des Espoirs comprised several stages organised in northern France and Belgium. At the end of the race, covering some 745 kilometres, Gisiger claimed victory ahead of the Dutchman Fedor den Hertog and the Belgian Gery Verlinden. This victory marked one of Daniel Gisiger’s first major professional successes. It heralded a career during which the Swiss rider would go on to win, notably, two Grands Prix des Nations, three Trophées Baracchi and two stages of the Giro d’Italia. He would also enjoy numerous successes in Six-Day races.
The items on display are the jersey and the trophy commemorating his victory in the general classification of the 1978 Étoile des Espoirs. The trophy takes the form of a metal bas-relief depicting a cyclist leaning over his bike. The cyclist stands out against a surface with irregular contours, criss-crossed by lines evoking a map and the routes taken by the race.
Displayed in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this jersey and trophy preserve the memory of Daniel Gisiger’s victory at the 1978 Étoile des Espoirs. They bear witness to the promising early career of a well-rounded rider, who excelled both on the road and on the velodrome.
ITEM N° 131
GODEFROOT Walter (B)
(02.07.1943 – 01.09.2025)
His winner’s trophy from Dwars door België 1968
Born on 2 July 1943 in Ghent, Walter Godefroot is a former Belgian cyclist. A professional from 1965 to 1979, he established himself as one of the finest classics specialists and one of the most formidable sprinters of his generation.
Nicknamed ‘the Bulldog of Flanders’, he first made his mark as an amateur by winning the bronze medal in the road race at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. Turning professional the following year, he quickly became one of Eddy Merckx’s main rivals.
His impressive list of victories includes Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 1967, the Tour of Flanders in 1968 and 1978, Paris–Roubaix in 1969, and two editions of Bordeaux–Paris. He also won two Belgian championships, ten stages of the Tour de France and the points classification in the 1970 edition.
On 24 March 1968, Walter Godefroot won Dwars door België, a race now known as Dwars door Vlaanderen, or ‘Across Flanders’. Covering 200 kilometres, with the start and finish in Waregem, the race was completed in 5 hours and 19 minutes.
The item on display is the trophy commemorating his victory in the 1968 Dwars door België. It takes the form of a tall metal cup with simple lines, slightly flared at the top. Its body bears several engraved inscriptions referring to the town of Waregem, the race and the year 1968. The cup is surmounted by a circular medallion decorated with a sporting figure in relief, whilst its ornate base emphasises the solemn nature of the award. The metal’s light patina, the traces left by the passage of time and the simplicity of its silhouette lend this object great historical value. The document reproduced on the right records the result of the race and bears the title: ‘Godefroot wins in Waregem’. It directly links the trophy to the victory secured ahead of Willy Monty and Bernard Van de Kerckhove.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy preserves the memory of Walter Godefroot’s victory in Waregem. It bears witness to the exceptional career of a powerful and combative rider, capable of triumphing in both cobbled classics and sprint finishes.
