The trophies - 28
ITEM N° 237
PÉLISSIER Henri (F)
(22.01.1889 – 01.05.1935)
His trophy for winning Paris–Roubaix in 1921
Born on 22 January 1889 in Paris, Henri Pélissier was a French cyclist who turned professional in 1911 and retired in 1928. A well-rounded rider, with a strong character and a highly attacking style, he was one of the most popular French champions of his era.
His prestigious list of victories includes the 1923 Tour de France, the 1912 Milan–San Remo, the 1919 Bordeaux–Paris, the 1922 Paris–Tours and three Giro di Lombardia titles. He also won Paris–Roubaix twice, in 1919 and 1921.
At the 1921 Paris–Roubaix, contested over 263 kilometres, Henri Pélissier claimed victory for the second time in the famous classic. His brother Francis finished second, forty seconds behind, whilst the Belgian Léon Scieur completed the podium. This remarkable family one-two finish is one of the defining moments in the history of Paris–Roubaix. It confirmed the dominance of the Pélissier brothers, who were then racing in the same colours and were among the leading stars of French cycling.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Henri Pélissier for his victory in the 1921 Paris–Roubaix. The inscription on its plinth also mentions Francis Pélissier, who finished second in the race, thus commemorating the feat achieved by the two brothers.
The trophy consists of a large, gilded circular plate resting on a richly decorated base. The pedestal features relief motifs, notably an elegant female figure, and rests on a round, multi-tiered base. The engraving adorning the centre of the plate is original and depicts a cyclist in the throes of the race. The pedestal features various relief motifs, notably an elegant female figure, and rests on a round, multi-tiered base.
An old photograph showing a cyclist from the Pélissier family with his bicycle places this award within the context of the cycling world of the 1920s.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy keeps alive the memory of Henri and Francis Pélissier and their exceptional one-two finish in the 1921 Paris–Roubaix.
ITEM N° 474
PETITO Roberto (I)
(01.02.1971)
His winner’s trophy for the second stage of the 2006 Four Days of Dunkirk
Born on 1 February 1971 in Civitavecchia, in the Lazio region, Roberto Petito is a former Italian professional cyclist who competed from 1993 to 2008. An excellent team player and a strong all-rounder, he also excelled in stage races and the Northern Classics.
His greatest achievement was winning the general classification of the Tirreno–Adriatico in 1997. His list of victories also includes the Tour of Romagna, the Tour of Sardinia and the Pantalica Trophy. He finished fifth in the Tour of Flanders in 2005 and fifth in Paris–Roubaix in 2007.
On 4 May 2006, riding for the Tenax–Salmilano team, Roberto Petito won the second stage of the Four Days of Dunkirk. Covering a distance of approximately 204 kilometres between Arques and Le Cateau-Cambrésis, this stage enabled him to take the lead in the general classification. Petito then held onto his lead until the finish and became the first Italian rider to have his name added to the race’s roll of honour.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Roberto Petito for his victory in the second stage of the 2006 Four Days of Dunkirk. It takes the form of a dark metal statuette depicting a cyclist from a bygone era, wearing a cap and leaning over his handlebars. The attention to detail in the wheels, frame, clothing and the rider’s posture lends the piece a particularly lifelike quality. The sculpture rests on an uneven surface evoking the challenging roads and cobblestones of northern France. The statuette is mounted on a rectangular wooden plinth fitted with a commemorative plaque. This plaque mentions the second stage, Arques–Le Cateau, the date 4 May 2006, and notes that the trophy was donated by an association of volunteer blood donors.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy bears witness to the career of an experienced rider, a valuable team-mate and a brilliant specialist in the northern races.
ITEM N° 240
PIJNEN René (NL)
(03.09.1946 )
His winner’s trophy from the 1983 Six Days of Ghent, alongside Étienne De Wilde
Born on 3 September 1946 in Woensdrecht, René Pijnen is a former Dutch cyclist who turned professional in 1969 and retired in 1987. A track specialist, he is regarded as one of the greatest Six Days riders of his generation.
At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, he became Olympic champion in the team time trial alongside Fedor den Hertog, Jan Krekels and Joop Zoetemelk. On the road, he won several stages of the Vuelta a España and wore the leader’s jersey for several days.
However, René Pijnen built the bulk of his career achievements on the velodrome. Thanks to his speed, stamina and perfect mastery of American-style races, he racked up 72 victories in Six-Day events. In 1983, on the track at the famous Kuipke, he won the Ghent Six Days alongside the Belgian Étienne De Wilde. The pair finished ahead of the Germans Dietrich Thurau and Albert Fritz, as well as Michel Vaarten and Romain Costermans.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to René Pijnen for his victory in the 1983 Ghent Six Days, achieved in partnership with Étienne De Wilde. It takes the form of an imposing silver-coloured metal cup. Its rounded bowl, with a slightly hammered surface, is framed by two large geometric handles. It rests on a slender stem and a square plinth. The cup is topped by a lid surmounted by a figurine depicting a cyclist in the throes of the race. This decorative element is a direct reference to the sport being celebrated and gives the trophy a particularly elegant silhouette.
The photograph on the right shows René Pijnen holding this very cup. It serves as a valuable document of provenance and establishes a direct link between the preserved object, its original owner and his victory on the Ghent velodrome.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy perpetuates the memory of one of the Netherlands’ finest track specialists and his success at the 1983 Six Days of Ghent.
