The trophies - 18
ITEM 383
GUIMARD Cyrille (F)
(20.01.1947)
His trophy as winner of the 1969 Promotion Pernod
Born on 20 January 1947 in Bouguenais, in the Loire-Atlantique department, Cyrille Guimard is a former French professional cyclist who went on to become a team manager, consultant and commentator. A professional from 1968 to 1976, he stood out for his speed, his attacking style and his versatility.
In 1969, during his first full season as a professional, Cyrille Guimard won the Genoa–Nice race and several stages of the Grand Prix du Midi Libre. The consistency of his results enabled him to top the Promotion Pernod standings, a classification recognising the best French rider under the age of twenty-five. Created as part of the Challenge Pernod, these seasonal classifications are based on results achieved in the major races on the calendar. The Promotion Pernod specifically highlights the most promising young French professionals. This accolade heralded a particularly brilliant racing career. Guimard won seven stages of the Tour de France and wore the yellow jersey for eight days in 1972. He also won two bronze medals at the Road World Championships, in 1971 and 1972, as well as several victories on the track and in cyclo-cross.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Cyrille Guimard for his victory in the 1969 Pernod Promotion. Its slender silhouette takes the form of a flared metal structure, composed of several geometric planes that intersect and overlap. A small stylised figure and a commemorative plaque are affixed to its front face. These commemorate the young French rider’s victory and directly link the object to the Pernod Challenge. The trophy rests on a solid dark marble plinth bearing the name of Cyrille Guimard.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy perpetuates the memory of Cyrille Guimard’s victory in the 1969 Pernod Promotion. It bears witness to the promising early career of a competitor who would go on to leave a lasting mark on French cycling, first as a rider and then as a team manager.
ITEM N° 134
HAGHEDOOREN Paul (B)
(11.10.1959 – 09.11.1997)
The trophy commemorating his 1985 Belgian Road Cycling Championship title
Born on 11 October 1959 in Kortrijk, West Flanders, Paul Haghedooren is a former Belgian professional cyclist. A professional from 1982 to 1994, he stood out for his fighting spirit, his consistency and his ability to excel on demanding courses.
From his very first professional season, he achieved several notable results, notably finishing second in the Tour of Germany and third in the Flèche Wallonne. He went on to compete in five Tours de France and enjoyed a career spanning more than twelve years with various Belgian teams.
The year 1985 marked the peak of his career. Riding for the Lotto–Eddy Merckx team, he first won the Grand Prix Pino Cerami, before claiming the Belgian road cycling championship title. The national championship took place on 23 June 1985 in Halanzy, in the province of Luxembourg. At the end of a gruelling course of nearly 267 kilometres, Paul Haghedooren outsprinted two particularly renowned rivals: the reigning world champion Claude Criquielion and the future world champion Rudy Dhaenens. Paul Haghedooren continued his career until 1994, winning notably the Grand Prix Raymond Impanis in 1987, the Prix national de clôture in 1992, and stages of Paris–Bourges and the Four Days of Dunkirk. He died prematurely on 9 November 1997, aged thirty-eight.
The item on display is a trophy commemorating Paul Haghedooren’s victory in the 1985 Belgian Road Championship. It takes the form of a gilded sculpture depicting a cyclist straining as he rides his bike. As indicated by the inscription at the base of the display, the trophy was donated to the collection by Gilbert Letecheur, organiser of the 1985 Belgian Championships as well as numerous other cycling competitions. This inscription allows the object to be directly linked to the organisation of the event.
Displayed in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy commemorates the national title won by Paul Haghedooren in 1985. It stands as a testament to the greatest success of a courageous rider who proudly wore the colours of the Belgian champion.
ITEM N°158
KELLY Sean (IRL)
(24.05.1956)
The trophy awarded for his breakaway at the 1988 Tour of Andalusia
Born on 24 May 1956 in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Sean Kelly is a former Irish professional cyclist. A professional from 1977 to 1994, he is regarded as one of the most well-rounded and consistent riders in the history of cycling.
An excellent sprinter, formidable in the classics and a strong performer in stage races, his notable victories include two wins at Milan–San Remo, two at Paris–Roubaix, two at Liège–Bastogne–Liège and three at the Tour of Lombardy. He also won the points classification at the Tour de France on four occasions.
Sean Kelly had a special connection with Paris–Nice, winning seven consecutive editions between 1982 and 1988 – a record that remains unbroken to this day. The 1988 season also saw him triumph in the Vuelta a España, the most significant stage race of his career. At the start of this remarkable season, he took part in the Tour of Andalusia, also known as the Ruta del Sol. The first stage, held on 3 February 1988 between Cádiz and Dos Hermanas, covered a distance of 159.6 kilometres. During this stage, Sean Kelly launched a long solo breakaway of over 94 kilometres. His attack dominated much of the day’s racing, but the peloton eventually caught him 44 kilometres from the finish. The stage victory ultimately went to the Belgian Noël Dejonckheere.
The trophy on display therefore does not commemorate a stage victory, but rather the fighting spirit and the significant breakaway achieved by Sean Kelly on the road to Dos Hermanas. It bears witness to the attacking spirit and determination that characterised the Irish champion. The piece takes the form of an elegant gilded metal cup. Its rounded body is supported by a long, finely crafted stem and framed by two decorative handles with curved lines. The whole rests on a dark, multi-tiered plinth, fitted with a commemorative plaque. The contrast between the golden hue of the cup and the black colour of its base enhances the object’s elegance and prestige. Presented in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy commemorates a spectacular breakaway during the 1988 Tour of Andalusia. It perfectly illustrates the generous spirit of Sean Kelly, a champion capable of transforming a simple early-season stage into a display of courage and fighting spirit.
