The trophies - 23
ITEM N° 386
MAGNE Antonin (F)
(15.02.1904 – 08.09.1983)
The golden part of the bouquet he received on the podium after winning his world title in 1936
Antonin Magne was one of the leading figures in French cycling between the two world wars. A professional from 1926 to 1939, he stood out for his consistency, his power and the rigour with which he prepared for his races.
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 the lead in the general classification all the way to Paris. In 1934, Antonin Magne won the Tour de France for a second time. He notably triumphed in the first individual time trial in the history of the Tour de France, contested between La Roche-sur-Yon and Nantes. An excellent road racer, he also won three consecutive editions of the Grand Prix des Nations, from 1934 to 1936. Having finished second in the world championships in 1933, he claimed the supreme title three years later.
On 6 September 1936, the World Road Championships were held on the Bremgarten circuit, near Bern, in Switzerland. Contested in cold, windy conditions and persistent rain, the race proved particularly gruelling. Antonin Magne moved to the front at the 50-kilometre mark as part of a breakaway group of around ten riders. With three laps to go, he attacked on a climb on the circuit and pulled away decisively. Despite the difficult weather conditions, the Frenchman continued his solo effort and built up a considerable lead. Antonin Magne crossed the line ahead of the Italian Aldo Bini and the Dutchman Theo Middelkamp. During the official ceremony, Antonin Magne was presented with a large bouquet of flowers on the podium in honour of his world title. After the ceremony, the Magne family kept some of the flowers from the bouquet. To preserve this precious memento for the long term, they had them coated with a gold finish. The flowers, leaves and twigs, preserved in this way, were then arranged against a green velvet background and protected by a gold frame. An inscription placed diagonally commemorates the world championship won in Bern in 1936.
The item on display is therefore not merely a decorative reproduction. It contains an authentic part of the bouquet presented to Antonin Magne on the podium, which was subsequently transformed and gilded at the initiative of his family.
Displayed in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this gilded section of the bouquet stands as an exceptional testament to Antonin Magne’s world title. Preserved by his family before joining the collection, it establishes a direct physical link to the podium in Bern and one of the greatest moments in the history of French cycling.
ITEM N° 200
MAURI Melchor (E)
(08.04.1966)
His trophy for winning the sixth time trial stage of the 1995 Tour of Catalonia
Born on 8 April 1966 in Vic, Catalonia, Melchor Mauri is a former Spanish professional cyclist. A professional from 1987 to 2002, he was noted primarily for his ability as a road racer and his mastery of solo efforts.
After several seasons of learning the ropes, he reached the peak of his career in 1991 by winning the Vuelta a España. A consistent performer and particularly strong in time trials, he held off Miguel Indurain’s attacks in the mountain stages and became the first Catalan to win the Vuelta since José Pesarrodona in 1976. Melchor Mauri went on to confirm his abilities in stage races. Notably, he won the Tour of the Valencian Community in 1992, the Tour of Murcia and the Castile and León Trophy in 1994. In 1995, riding for the ONCE team, he became Spanish time trial champion. This season was one of the most successful of his career and cemented his place amongst the world’s best specialists in the discipline.
On 21 June 1995, Melchor Mauri competed in the sixth stage of the Tour of Catalonia. It was a 21.6-kilometre individual time trial, routed around the Segura Viudas Winery in Torrelavit. In a race perfectly suited to his strengths, the Catalan rider set the fastest time ahead of his French team-mate Laurent Jalabert and the Spaniard Aitor Garmendia.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Melchor Mauri for his victory in the sixth time trial stage of the 1995 Tour of Catalonia. This elegant silver cup has a tall, slender silhouette. Its cylindrical body flares out slightly towards the top, whilst its lower section is decorated with a hammered pattern that brings the metallic surface to life. The whole piece rests on a square base of dark stone bearing a commemorative plaque relating to the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.
This trophy commemorates one of Melchor Mauri’s most iconic achievements. It bears witness to the career of a methodical and powerful rider, winner of the Vuelta a España and a leading figure in Spanish cycling during the 1990s.
ITEM N° 387
MEYVISCH Hervé (B)
(04.03.1969)
His trophy for winning the intermediate sprints at the 1993 Tour of the Valencian Community
Born on 4 March 1969 in Montignies-sur-Sambre, in the province of Hainaut, Hervé Meyvisch is a former Belgian professional cyclist. After several years as an amateur, he turned professional in the early 1990s.
A skilful, determined and attacking rider, he joined the prestigious Italian team Carrera. There, he rode alongside the likes of Claudio Chiappucci, Stephen Roche, Guido Bontempi, Rolf Sørensen, Andrea Tafi and the young Marco Pantani. In a team built around major leaders, Hervé Meyvisch primarily fulfilled the role of a support rider. He helped protect his team leaders and regularly put the team’s collective strategy first.
In February 1993, Hervé Meyvisch competed with Carrera–Tassoni in the Tour of the Valencian Community. Throughout the race, the Belgian contested the various intermediate sprints along the route. Thanks to the points he accumulated at these sprints, he won the final classification for this category. These sprints, known as ‘metas volantes’ in Spain, reward the most active riders during the stages. The 1993 Tour of the Valencian Community was won by the Spaniard Julián Gorospe, ahead of the Italian Stefano Della Santa and Miguel Indurain. In this race, dominated by stage race specialists, Hervé Meyvisch’s success in the intermediate sprint classification was a significant personal achievement.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Hervé Meyvisch for his victory in the intermediate sprint classification of the 1993 Tour of the Valencian Community. This silver-coloured metal cup has a generously rounded body, tapering towards the top. Several decorative rings adorn its base and add depth to its silhouette. The trophy rests on a square plinth of light-coloured stone bearing a commemorative plaque.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy keeps alive the memory of a discreet yet valuable Belgian cyclist. It bears witness to his fighting spirit and his ability to seize the opportunities that came his way whilst riding for one of the most prestigious teams of his era.
