The trophies - 22
ITEM N° 191
MAES Romain (B)
(10.08.1912 – 22.02.1983)
Trophy presented by the City of Dunkirk to the winner of the 1935 Tour de France
Born on 10 August 1912 in Zerkegem, West Flanders, Romain Maes was a former Belgian cyclist. A professional from 1933 to 1942, he remains famous for his resounding victory in the 1935 Tour de France.
Coming from a large family, he began competing in cycling at the age of seventeen. Right from the start of his professional career, he made his mark by winning the Circuit de l’Ouest in 1933, before taking part in the Tour de France for the first time the following year.
On 4 July 1935, Romain Maes won the first stage of the Tour, contested between Paris and Lille. This victory enabled him to don the yellow jersey from the very first day. Romain Maes won three stages, including the first and the last, which finished at the Parc des Princes. He thus became one of the very few riders in history to have worn the yellow jersey from start to finish in a Tour de France. His victory brought an end to a run of five consecutive French wins. The following year, Romain Maes finished second in Paris–Roubaix under controversial circumstances. Although he appeared to have crossed the line ahead of Georges Speicher, the race officials awarded the victory to the French rider. In 1939, he won another time trial stage in the Tour de France and briefly regained the yellow jersey. His career, interrupted by the Second World War, continued until 1942. After retiring, Romain Maes ran an establishment in Brussels called ‘Le Maillot jaune’, thus keeping alive the memory of his 1935 triumph. He died on 22 February 1983 in Grand-Bigard.
The item on display is the trophy presented by the City of Dunkirk to Romain Maes to commemorate his victory in the 1935 Tour de France. This elegant trophy has a very slender conical shape. Its silvery metal body, composed of regular vertical lines, gradually flares out towards the top. Two small geometric handles extend from the sides of the cup. The trophy rests on a circular stem attached to a dark, veined stone plinth. Its streamlined design, decidedly modern for its time, stands out from traditional cups due to its balance and the simplicity of its ornamentation.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy commemorates one of the most remarkable feats in the history of the Tour de France: the victory of a young 22-year-old Belgian, who led from the first stage to the last.
ITEM N° 520
MAGNE Antonin (F)
(15.02.1904 – 08.09.1983)
The ‘L’Auto’ Cup won by the Province team in the 1943 Paris–Province match
Born on 15 February 1904 in Ytrac, in the Cantal department, Antonin Magne was a former French cyclist. A professional from 1926 to 1939, he established himself as one of the most well-rounded and respected champions of his generation.
Nicknamed ‘Tonin’, he won the Tour de France twice. In 1931, he took the yellow jersey after his victory in the Pyrenean stage between Pau and Luchon, then held off his rivals’ attacks right up to the finish in Paris. Three years later, he won the Tour de France for a second time. Taking the lead from the second stage onwards, he held on to first place until the end of the race and notably won the first individual time trial in the history of the Tour, contested between La Roche-sur-Yon and Nantes. Antonin Magne also became road world champion in 1936 in Bern. An excellent rider, he won the Grand Prix des Nations three years running, from 1934 to 1936, and finished second in the World Championships in 1933.
A methodical and rigorous rider, attentive to the smallest details, he was renowned for the precision of his preparation. These qualities enabled him to naturally extend his career into team management. During the Second World War, Antonin Magne stepped away from competition and took over the family farm in Livry-Gargan. Nevertheless, he gained his first experience as a sports director in 1943, during the Paris–Province cycle race. After the Liberation, Antonin Magne became sports director of the Mercier team. For nearly twenty-five years, he managed great champions such as Rik Van Steenbergen, Louison Bobet and, above all, Raymond Poulidor. His white coat, his beret and his rigorous principles became inseparable from his image.
The item on display is the ‘L’Auto’ Cup awarded to the winning Province team in the 1943 Paris–Province race, managed by Antonin Magne. This large trophy features a simple yet monumental design. Its metal body, which flares out considerably at the top, is punctuated by several horizontal rings that emphasise its different sections. The cup rests on a circular stem attached to a dark plinth. A plaque affixed to the plinth records the name of the race, the year it took place and the fact that the trophy was awarded by the sports daily *L’Auto*, the long-standing organiser of numerous French cycling competitions.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy bears witness to a little-known episode in organised cycling during the Occupation. It also marks Antonin Magne’s debut as a sports director, a role in which he would go on to enjoy a career as remarkable as that of the two-time Tour de France winner.
ITEM N° 521
MAGNE Antonin (F)
(15.02.1904 – 08.09.1983)
The Manufacturers’ Cup L’Humanité Dimanche 1953
Born on 15 February 1904 in Ytrac, in the Cantal department, Antonin Magne was one of the leading figures in French cycling. A professional cyclist from 1926 to 1939, then a team manager for nearly a quarter of a century, he enjoyed remarkable success in both roles.
Nicknamed ‘Tonin’, he won the Tour de France in 1931 and 1934. On his second victory, he notably won the first individual time trial in the history of the Tour de France, held between La Roche-sur-Yon and Nantes. An excellent time-trialist, he triumphed for three consecutive years in the Grand Prix des Nations, from 1934 to 1936. He also became road world champion in 1936 in Bern, three years after winning the silver medal at the world championships in Montlhéry.
After the Second World War, Antonin Magne embarked on a new career as a team manager. In 1945, he took charge of the Mercier team, which he led to the very top of French and international cycling. Easily recognisable by his white smock and beret, he instilled a philosophy based on preparation, discipline and team spirit. Under his leadership, Mercier welcomed great champions such as Rik Van Steenbergen, Louison Bobet, Bernard Gauthier and, a few years later, Raymond Poulidor.
In 1953, the Mercier–Hutchinson team, then managed by Antonin Magne, was awarded the L’Humanité Dimanche Manufacturers’ Cup. This collective honour recognised the work of the team, its sports director and the manufacturer represented by its riders. In the cycling world of that era, the classifications reserved for manufacturers held a significant place.
The item on display is the 1953 Manufacturers’ Cup, awarded by the weekly newspaper *L’Humanité Dimanche* and preserved amongst Antonin Magne’s personal mementoes. This imposing trophy has a broadly flared shape. Its metal body features a succession of geometric forms and engraved horizontal lines. The polished surfaces reflect the light and enhance its monumental appearance. A metal plaque bears the inscription ‘L’Humanité-Dimanche – Manufacturers’ Cup – 1953’, which clearly identifies the origin and year of the award.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this cup bears witness to the collective success of the Mercier team in 1953. Above all, it serves as a reminder of Antonin Magne’s second career; following his exploits as a champion, he went on to become one of the most influential and respected team managers of his era.
