The trophies - 24
ITEMS N° 394 & 396
Jean-Pierre MONSERÉ (B)
(08.09.1948 – 15.03.1971)
His ‘Prix de l’Avenir’ trophy from the 1967 Tour de la Province de Namur and his 1968 Olympic Games badge
Jean-Pierre Monseré is one of the most promising riders in the history of Belgian cycling. Nicknamed ‘Jempi’, he stood out from a very young age for his attacking style and his remarkable maturity on the race course.
In 1967, whilst still competing as an amateur, Monseré achieved a number of notable results. In particular, he took part in the Tour de la Province de Namur, a particularly gruelling stage race considered a major event for young Belgian riders. On the fifth stage, contested between Andenne and Meux, Jean-Pierre Monseré finished second. This performance earned him the ‘Prix de l’Avenir’ trophy, symbolically recognising the young champion’s qualities and potential.
The item on display takes the form of a tall, flared metal cup. Its simple, elegant silhouette rests on a circular base adorned with decorative motifs. A small plaque on its upper part bears the inscriptions ‘Prix de l’Avenir’ and ‘1967’. Beyond the result achieved on the roads of Namur, this award held a prophetic significance. The ‘Prix de l’Avenir’ indeed heralded the imminent emergence of a rider destined to join the elite of international cycling within just a few seasons.
The badge displayed alongside the trophy is linked to Jean-Pierre Monseré’s participation in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. Sewn onto his street clothes, it features the Belgian lion surrounded by laurel branches, the Olympic rings and the year 1968.
In Mexico City, Monseré finished sixth in the Olympic road race. This performance confirmed the hopes placed in him and preceded his move to the professional ranks in 1969, joining the Flandria team.
The photograph on the left commemorates the meeting with Marie-Claire Monseré, the champion’s sister, during which several personal items and mementoes linked to ‘Jempi’ were handed over.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, the ‘Prix de l’Avenir’ trophy and the Olympic badge are two precious mementoes from Jean-Pierre Monseré’s formative years. They recount the early stages of a meteoric rise, from amateur competitions to the rainbow jersey of world champion.
ITEM N° 397
Jean-Pierre MONSERÉ (B)
(08.09.1948 – 15.03.1971)
His trophy commemorating his 1970 road world championship title
Born on 8 September 1948 in Roeselare, West Flanders, Jean-Pierre Monseré was one of the greatest prospects Belgian cycling has ever seen. Nicknamed ‘Jempi’, he turned professional in 1969 riding for the Flandria team.
From his very first season as a professional, he demonstrated the full extent of his talent by winning the Tour of Lombardy. This victory in one of the major classics on the calendar heralded the exceptional career for which the young rider seemed destined. On 16 August 1970, aged just 21, Jean-Pierre Monseré achieved his crowning glory at the Road World Championships held in Leicester, Great Britain. On a hilly, wind-swept course, he finished ahead of the Dane Leif Mortensen and the Italian Felice Gimondi, adding his name to the race’s roll of honour. His brilliant career was tragically cut short on 15 March 1971. Whilst competing in a race in Retie, the world champion collided with a car on the course. He passed away at the age of just 22, leaving behind the memory of immense talent and a destiny brutally cut short.
The item on display is a trophy associated with the world title won by Jean-Pierre Monseré in 1970. It takes the form of an elegant, stylised human figure, standing upright in a graceful pose, one arm outstretched towards the sky. The silhouette, with its clean, modern lines, evokes effort, elevation and victory. Its sculptural treatment departs from traditional sports trophies and gives the object the appearance of a true work of art. The sculpture rests on a tall, dark plinth, probably made of stone or marble. A small metal plaque attached to its base bears the inscription ‘Louis Nelen’. This inscription appears to refer to the Ghent-based workshop that produced or marketed the trophy, rather than identifying its sculptor with certainty.
Établissements Louis Nelen, based in Ghent, specialised in the manufacture of medals, commemorative plaques, cups and badges. However, in the absence of any documentation attributing the award or an inscription specifying the circumstances of its presentation, the organisation that commissioned this award remains unknown.
The photograph on the left shows a meeting with Marie-Claire Monseré, the champion’s sister, during which several mementoes linked to Jean-Pierre Monseré were presented.
ITEM N° 390
Willy MONTY (B)
(11.10.1939 – 09.11.2014)
His 1970 Hainaut Championship trophy
Born on 11 October 1939 in Feluy, in the province of Hainaut, Willy Monty is a former Belgian cyclist. A professional from 1963 to 1971, he stood out for his consistency, stamina and all-round ability.
Before turning professional, he achieved several notable results as an amateur. In 1960, he competed in the team time trial at the Rome Olympic Games. Two years later, he won the general classification of the Tour de la Province de Namur as well as several stages of the Tour de Liège.
Having turned professional in 1963, Willy Monty rode for teams including Peugeot, Pelforth, Faemino and Watney. He competed in five Tours de France and achieved his best result in 1967, when he finished twelfth in the general classification. His list of victories includes a stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré in 1964, two stages of the Tour of Catalonia in 1965, Antwerp–Ougrée in 1966 and the Grand Prix de Péruwelz in 1967. He also finished third in Paris–Brussels and sixth in the Tour of Flanders in 1967. A native of Hainaut, Willy Monty remains deeply attached to his province. He distinguished himself in the provincial championship, winning at least the 1969 edition.
The trophy on display in the collection is associated with a Hainaut championship title won in 1970. The piece takes the form of a slender metal cup, resting on a dark-coloured square plinth. Its body features a wide, flared opening, emphasised by a frieze of small decorative beads. An inscription engraved on the front identifies the award and its presentation to Willy Monty. Unlike richly sculpted trophies, this cup has a classic and solemn design, characteristic of the sporting awards presented at regional championships of that era. Beyond its material value, this trophy bears witness to Willy Monty’s devotion to cycling in Hainaut. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of provincial championships, which allowed professional riders to represent their region and maintain a direct link with their local supporters. Willy Monty passed away on 9 November 2014 in his home village of Feluy, aged 75.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy keeps alive the memory of a stalwart of Walloon cycling. It bears witness to the long career of a rider who excelled in stage races, the classics and regional competitions.
