The trophies - 21
ITEM N° 493
MANU L’HOIR (B)
(24.07.1975)
His trophy as leader of the King of the Mountains classification in the 2000 Tour de la Région wallonne
Born on 24 July 1975 in Soignies, in the province of Hainaut, Manu L’Hoir is a former Belgian professional cyclist. A strong climber who was also active on the track, he competed as a professional from 1999 to 2003.
Having previously ridden for the Pesant Club Liégeois, he joined the Lotto team in 1999. He went on to ride for Lotto–Adecco, Team Fakta, EDS–Fakta and Marlux–Wincor Nixdorf. A combative rider, Manu L’Hoir regularly distinguished himself in breakaways and on undulating routes. His results include, notably, a third-place finish at the Tour de Lleida in 1998 and a third-place finish at the Boucles de l’Aulne in 2003.
From 29 July to 3 August 2000, he competed with the Lotto–Adecco team in the Tour de la Région wallonne. This twenty-seventh edition, contested over six stages between Aubel and Charleroi, was won overall by Axel Merckx. During the race, Manu L’Hoir took the lead in the King of the Mountains classification. This special classification rewards riders who accumulate points at the summit of designated climbs and highlights their fighting spirit on the most demanding terrain.
The item on display is the trophy presented to Manu L’Hoir as leader of the King of the Mountains classification in the 2000 Tour of the Walloon Region. Crafted from a transparent material, probably acrylic glass, it takes the form of a tall rectangular plaque resting on a multi-tiered plinth. Its understated, modern silhouette contrasts with the traditional appearance of metal trophies. In the centre is a white jersey bearing the initials ‘T.R.W.’, accompanied by a stylised red ‘W’ in the shape of an upward-pointing arrow. The year 2000 and the inscription ‘TOUR DE LA RÉGION WALLONNE’ allow the race to be identified immediately.
The photograph above shows Manu L’Hoir on the podium, wearing the Lotto–Adecco colours, holding this trophy. The accompanying handwritten document is a dedication addressed to Noël Grégoire, dated 15 March 2006. In it, the rider recalls the podium at the 2000 Tour de la Région Wallonne and his Lotto–Adecco team jersey.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy preserves the memory of a defining moment in Manu L’Hoir’s career. It bears witness to his qualities as a climber and his attacking style within the Belgian professional peloton.
ITEM N° 186
LUBBERDING Henk (NL)
(04.08.1953)
His ‘Wim van Est’ trophy, awarded to the best Dutch cyclist of 1978
Born on 4 August 1953 in Voorst, Henk Lubberding is a former Dutch professional cyclist. A professional from 1977 to 1992, he established himself as an all-round rider, particularly admired for his stamina, consistency and dedication to supporting his team-mates. He spent most of his career with the famous Dutch team TI-Raleigh, and subsequently with its successor teams. An excellent team-mate, he also possessed the qualities needed to secure numerous individual victories.
The year 1978 truly marked his breakthrough at the very highest level. Lubberding became Dutch road champion and distinguished himself a few weeks later in the Tour de France. On 10 July 1978, he won the tenth stage between Biarritz and Pau. His remarkable consistency also enabled him to finish eighth in the general classification and to win the best young rider classification, symbolised by the white jersey. These exceptional performances earned him recognition as one of the finest representatives of Dutch cycling of his generation. He went on to retain his national road title in 1979, before winning Gent–Wevelgem in 1980 and continuing a long career dedicated to the team.
The item on display is the ‘Wim van Est’ trophy awarded to Henk Lubberding as the best Dutch cyclist of 1978. This honour commemorates a decisive season during which the young rider made his mark both on the national roads and in the Tour de France. The trophy consists of a tall metal cup with golden highlights. Its bowl, which flares slightly towards the top, has a simple, slender shape that emphasises the impression of height. The central section comprises a glossy red shaft, adorned with a wide golden metal ring. This circular element lends a particularly original touch to the object’s silhouette. The shaft rests on a conical metal stem, which is in turn attached to a rounded red base.
The historical photograph shows Henk Lubberding wearing the Raleigh team jersey and proudly holding the trophy. Taken at the time of the presentation, it establishes a direct link between the award held in the collection and its prestigious recipient.
This trophy is therefore a valuable memento of the 1978 season, when Henk Lubberding established himself as one of the great rising stars of Dutch cycling.
ITEM N° 189
MAERTENS Freddy (B)
(13.02.1952)
The trophy from his final race, the 1987 Granfondo Fausto Coppi
Born on 13 February 1952 in Nieuwpoort, West Flanders, Freddy Maertens is a former Belgian professional cyclist. A professional from 1972 to 1987, he remains one of the greatest sprinters and winners in the history of cycling.
His exceptional record includes over two hundred victories. He became road world champion in 1976 in Ostuni, then reclaimed the rainbow jersey five years later, in 1981 in Prague.
In 1977, Freddy Maertens won the Vuelta a España after dominating the race in spectacular fashion. He won thirteen stages – a record for a single edition – and held the leader’s jersey from the first day to the last. He also claimed victory on fifteen occasions at the Tour de France and won the points classification there three times, in 1976, 1978 and 1981. In addition to these results, he secured seven stage wins in the Giro d’Italia, as well as numerous successes in the classics and stage races. A formidable sprinter, a powerful all-rounder and a particularly prolific rider, his notable victories include Paris–Tours, the Amstel Gold Race, Ghent–Wevelgem twice, the Circuit Het Volk twice, Paris–Nice and the Tour of Catalonia. He also won the prestigious Pernod Super Prestige in 1976 and 1977.
On 18 July 1987, in Cuneo, Italy, Freddy Maertens took part in the first edition of the Granfondo Fausto Coppi. Created to honour the memory of the ‘Campionissimo’, this cycling event featured a demanding route through the hills of Piedmont. This marked Freddy Maertens’ final appearance in a cycling race before the end of his career. The trophy presented to him on this occasion holds particular symbolic value: it marks the conclusion of fifteen years spent in the professional peloton.
The trophy consists of a slender structure resting on a rectangular plinth. Four metal columns support an upper section adorned with a large winged figure with outstretched arms. Above this sits a flared silver cup. A small figure of a cyclist in the throes of exertion occupies the lower part of the trophy. The photograph on the right shows Freddy Maertens presenting this award himself.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy commemorates Freddy Maertens’s final cycling event. Beyond its commemorative significance, it marks the end of the career of a two-time world champion, winner of the Tour of Spain and a leading figure in Belgian cycling.
