The trophies - 20
ITEM N° 171
LAMMERTS Johan (NL)
(02.10.1960)
His trophy for winning the Bergamo–Villongo stage of the 1981 Settimana Bergamasca
Born on 2 October 1960 in Bergen-op-Zoom, North Brabant, Johan Lammerts is a former Dutch professional cyclist. A professional from 1982 to 1992, he stood out for his attacking style and his aptitude for both classics and stage races.
In 1981, whilst still competing at amateur level, Lammerts took part in the Settimana Bergamasca, a race held in the Italian province of Bergamo. He won two stages there, including the stage from Bergamo to Villongo. This victory on the roads of Lombardy was already a testament to the young Dutchman’s qualities. Fast, resilient and able to capitalise on opportunities, he thus confirmed his potential against an international field.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Johan Lammerts for his victory in the Bergamo–Villongo stage of the 1981 Settimana Bergamasca. It features a spectacular design arranged across several levels. At the top stands a winged female figure, her arms raised above her head. She holds a laurel wreath, a traditional symbol of victory, merit and sporting glory. The statuette rests on a platform supported by two tall metal columns. Between them is a small group of cyclists depicted in the thick of the race, a direct reference to the sport honoured by the award. This award dates from the early years of Johan Lammerts’ career; he turned professional in 1982.
His greatest success came on 1 April 1984, when he won the Tour of Flanders. That same year, he also won the general classification of the Tour of the Netherlands. In 1985, he added a stage victory in the Tour de France to his list of achievements. After retiring from competitive cycling, Johan Lammerts continued his career in coaching. In particular, he worked with the Dutch women’s and cyclo-cross teams, before becoming coach of the Dutch men’s road cycling team.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy commemorates Johan Lammerts’ victory in the Bergamo–Villongo stage of the 1981 Settimana Bergamasca. It bears witness to the promising early career of a young rider who was destined to triumph a few years later in the prestigious Tour of Flanders.
ITEM N° 175
LEALI Bruno (I)
(06.03.1958)
His trophy as winner of the 1985 Giro del Lazio
Born on 6 March 1958 in Roè Volciano, in the province of Brescia, Bruno Leali is a former Italian professional cyclist. A professional from 1979 to 1994, he stood out for his consistency, his stamina and his ability to play a key role in both one-day races and Grand Tours.
During his long career, he competed in fourteen Giro d’Italia, six Tour de France and four Vuelta a España. A solid and experienced rider, he won a stage of the Giro in 1984 before enjoying one of his best seasons the following year.
On 18 September 1985, Bruno Leali lined up at the start of the Tour of Lazio, an Italian classic covering 225 kilometres between Lariano and Rome. The undulating route favoured resilient riders, capable of tackling the climbs and then maintaining enough speed for the final sprint. At the finish in the Italian capital, Leali outsprinted a small leading group. He finished ahead of the Dane Kim Andersen and his compatriot Alberto Volpi, thereby adding his name to the list of winners of one of the major races on the Italian calendar.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Bruno Leali for his victory in the 1985 Tour of Lazio. It takes the form of a large gilded metal cup, framed by two curved handles. The lower part of the vessel is decorated with a prominent motif of stylised leaves, evoking a laurel wreath. Since ancient times, this has symbolised victory, honour and the recognition accorded to the winner. A commemorative plaque on the front mentions the Municipality of Rome, the Tour of Latium and Bruno Leali’s victory. This victory was one of the major individual achievements of his career. In 1987, Leali became Italian road champion and also won the Coppa Agostoni and the Baracchi Trophy, contested alongside Massimo Ghirotto. After retiring from competition, Bruno Leali remained active in cycling, holding various roles within the management teams of Italian professional cycling teams.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy commemorates Bruno Leali’s victory in the 1985 Tour of Lazio. It bears witness to one of the finest achievements of a well-rounded rider, who is forever associated with Italian cycling in the 1980s and 1990s.
ITEM N° 179
LEMAN Eric (B)
(17.07.1946)
His winner’s trophy for the 4th stage of the 1977 Tour of Aragon
Born on 17 July 1946 in Ledegem, Eric Leman is a former Belgian professional cyclist. A professional from 1968 to 1977, this robust road sprinter made his mark mainly in the classics and stage races.
He won his first major classic in 1969 by triumphing in Ghent–Wevelgem. The following year, he won the Tour of Flanders for the first time, a race in which he became one of the leading specialists of his generation. Eric Leman triumphed again in the Tour of Flanders in 1972 and 1973. With three victories, he joined the very select group of riders to have won the famous ‘Ronde’ three times.
His list of achievements also includes several stage wins in major races. In particular, he won five stages of the Tour de France, spread across 1968, 1971 and 1972, as well as two stages of the Vuelta a España.
In 1977, during one of his final professional seasons, he took part in the Tour of Aragon in Spain. There, he won the fourth stage and was awarded the trophy shown on this page.
The piece consists of a large silver-coloured metal cup resting on a gilded statuette. The statuette depicts a kneeling figure, arms raised, holding the cup above his head.
The statuette is mounted on a rectangular wooden plinth comprising several tiers. This combination of silver-coloured metal, the gilded figure and the wood gives the whole piece a particularly original appearance.
A commemorative plaque is affixed to the front of the plinth. Despite wear and tear and the fact that some of the inscriptions are difficult to read, it links the trophy to the 1977 Tour of Aragon and Eric Leman’s stage victory.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this object bears witness to one of the Belgian champion’s final successes before the end of his professional career. It serves as a lasting memento of a rider whose name remains closely associated with the Tour of Flanders.
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