The trophies - 19
ITEM N° 162
KINT Marcel (B)
(20.09.1914 – 23.03.2002)
His winner’s trophy from the 1935 Jemeppe–Marche–Jemeppe
Born on 20 September 1914 in Zwevegem, West Flanders, Marcel Kint was a former Belgian cyclist. A professional from 1935 to 1951, he was one of the finest classics specialists of his generation. Nicknamed ‘the Black Eagle’, he made a name for himself at a very young age by becoming Belgian junior champion in 1933. Two years later, he began his professional career and won several major races, including the Tour of Flanders for independents, Brussels–Liège and the Tour of Belgium for independents.
On 6 May 1935, Marcel Kint won the Jemeppe–Marche–Jemeppe, a 150-kilometre race starting and finishing in Jemeppe-sur-Meuse. This victory was one of the first notable successes of his long career.
The item on display is the trophy presented to Marcel Kint to mark this victory in 1935. It takes the form of a tall, gilded metal cup, mounted on a slender stem and a broad circular base. Its slightly flared body is framed by two large decorative handles with elegant curves. An inscription engraved on the central section commemorates the race, the winner and the circumstances of the award. Despite the signs of ageing, the metal’s polished surface retains the prestigious character of this cup, which is over ninety years old. This 1935 victory heralded Marcel Kint’s exceptional career. In 1938, he became road world champion in Valkenburg and also won Paris–Brussels as well as three stages of the Tour de France. The following year, he claimed the Belgian road cycling championship title. His list of achievements also includes Paris–Roubaix in 1943, Ghent–Wevelgem in 1949 and three consecutive victories in the Flèche Wallonne, from 1943 to 1945. He also racked up six stage wins in the Tour de France and wore the yellow jersey for one day in 1937. Due to the suspension of the World Championships during the Second World War, Marcel Kint symbolically retained his 1938 world title until the event resumed in 1946.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy commemorates Marcel Kint’s victory on the Jemeppe–Marche–Jemeppe route in 1935. It bears witness to the triumphant early career of a young rider who was destined to become world champion and one of the great figures of Belgian cycling.
ITEM N° 164
KOBLET Hugo (CH)
(21.03.1925 – 06.11.1964)
Trophy he received in Barcelona following his victory in the 1951 Tour de France
Born on 21 March 1925 in Zurich, Hugo Koblet was a Swiss former professional cyclist. A professional from 1946 to 1958, he is regarded as one of the greatest post-war champions and remains one of the most elegant figures in the history of cycling.
Nicknamed ‘the Charming Cyclist’, he captivated the public with his fluid style, his dapper appearance and his exceptional skills as a road cyclist. His elegance on the bicycle stood in stark contrast to the gruelling efforts he put in on the roads and in the velodromes. In 1950, Hugo Koblet became the first non-Italian rider to win the Giro d’Italia. He also won the Tour de Suisse that year, confirming his prowess in major stage races.
The following year, he won the Tour de France on his debut. Winning five stages, he built his success in particular on his time-trial performances and an extraordinary solo breakaway between Brive and Agen. Hugo Koblet thus became the first Swiss rider to have his name added to the Tour de France roll of honour. He finished ahead of the Frenchman Raphaël Géminiani and his compatriot Lucien Lazaridès in the general classification, cementing a dominance that impressed observers of the time. Following his Tour victory, Koblet further added to his list of honours by winning, notably, the Grand Prix des Nations in 1951, the Tour de Romandie in 1953 and three editions of the Tour de Suisse. He also finished runner-up twice in the Giro d’Italia. Hugo Koblet died tragically on 6 November 1964, aged thirty-nine.
The item on display is the trophy presented to Hugo Koblet in Barcelona following his victory in the 1951 Tour de France. The inscription engraved on the cup mentions the Ayuntamiento de Barcelona, the Barcelona City Council, as well as the 1951 Fiestas de la Merced, the city’s traditional festivities. The trophy takes the form of a large gilded metal cup resting on a solid, flared base. Its rounded body is framed by two large symmetrical handles, adorned with plant motifs and finely crafted scrollwork. The coat of arms of Barcelona, affixed to the centre of the cup, directly identifies the city that awarded this prize.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy perpetuates the memory of Hugo Koblet’s triumph in the 1951 Tour de France. It bears witness to the international renown of a Swiss champion whose grace and achievements earned him the admiration of the public far beyond his country’s borders.
ITEM N° 166
KÜBLER Ferdi (CH)
(24.07.1919 – 29.12.2016)
His winner’s trophy from the 1949 Brussels International American Race
Born on 24 July 1919 in Marthalen, in the canton of Zurich, Ferdinand ‘Ferdi’ Kübler was a former Swiss professional cyclist. A professional from 1940 to 1957, he established himself as one of the most well-rounded and popular champions of the post-war era.
Nicknamed ‘the Eagle of Adliswil’, Kübler stood out for his attacking style, his power and his determination. Capable of excelling on both the road and the track, he won stage races, classics, championships and numerous events held in velodromes.
On 4 December 1949, Ferdi Kübler took part in the Coupe du Soir, held at the Palais des Sports in Schaerbeek, also known as the Brussels Winter Velodrome. Twenty teams lined up at the start of this international American race, contested over a distance of 100 kilometres. An American race is contested by teams of two riders who take turns at high speed. Whilst one remains in the race, his partner recovers by riding more slowly before taking over again, often with a spectacular hand-to-hand handover. Partnered with the Belgian track cyclist Albert Bruylandt, Ferdi Kübler won the event against teams featuring great champions such as Rik Van Steenbergen, Stan Ockers, Gerrit Schulte, Marcel Kint and Roger Lapébie.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Ferdi Kübler for this victory on the Brussels track. It takes the form of a tall, gilded metal cup, topped with a lid whose horizontal lines evoke movement and speed. An inscription engraved on the main face commemorates the race, the Palais des Sports in Brussels and the date of 4 December 1949. The gilded patina and geometric shapes give this trophy an aesthetic characteristic of the post-war period.
In 1950, he became the first Swiss rider to win the Tour de France. The following year, he was crowned world road champion and achieved the Flèche Wallonne–Liège–Bastogne–Liège double, a feat he repeated in 1952. His list of honours also includes three Tour de Suisse victories, two Tour de Romandie victories and five Swiss road championship titles.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy commemorates the victory of the Kübler–Bruylandt duo in the 1949 International American Race in Brussels. It bears witness to the versatility of a great champion, equally at home on the roads of the Grand Tours as on the tracks of the velodromes.
