The trophies - 32
ITEM N° 287
SPEICHER Georges (F)
(08.06.1907 – 24.01.1978)
His original 1939 French Championship trophy
Born on 8 June 1907 in Paris, Georges Speicher was one of the great French champions of the 1930s. A powerful and attacking rider, he excelled in both stage races and the classics.
The year 1933 marked the peak of his career. He won the Tour de France with three stage victories, then, a few weeks later, became world road champion at Montlhéry. He was the first rider to achieve this prestigious double in a single season. His honours list also includes nine Tour de France stages and a victory in Paris–Roubaix in 1936. He was crowned French road champion on three occasions, in 1935, 1937 and 1939.
On 18 June 1939, Georges Speicher claimed his third national title. He finished ahead of Louis Thiétard and Fabien Galateau, thereby confirming his remarkable longevity at the very highest level.
The item on display is the original trophy awarded to Georges Speicher for his 1939 French championship title. This large, silver-coloured metal cup has a slender shape, inspired by ceremonial vases. Its body is adorned with a wide, finely crafted frieze and framed by two decorative handles. The flared rim, edged with beaded motifs, rests on a circular stem attached to a square base of dark stone. An original engraving, made directly onto the body of the cup, refers to the 1939 French Championship and bears the name G. Speicher. This confirms the commemorative purpose of this historic piece.
The poster reproduced on the right celebrates his previous national title from 1937, when he rode for the Alcyon team. It serves as a reminder that Georges Speicher was one of the leading figures in French cycling during the interwar period.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy preserves the memory of Georges Speicher’s last national title and bears witness to the exceptional career of a Tour de France winner who went on to become world champion.
ITEM N° 288
SPEICHER Georges (F)
(08.06.1907 – 24.01.1978)
The ‘Georges Speicher’ Cup Pont-Sainte-Maxence, 4 September 1938
Born on 8 June 1907 in Paris, Georges Speicher was one of the most popular French champions of the 1930s. An attacking and versatile rider, he excelled in both stage races and major one-day events.
In 1933, he won the Tour de France with three stage victories, before becoming world road champion at Montlhéry. He was the first rider in history to achieve this prestigious double in the same season. His honours also include nine Tour de France stages, the 1936 Paris–Roubaix and three French road cycling championship titles, won in 1935, 1937 and 1939.
Founded in 1936, the Vélo-Club Pontois appointed Georges Speicher as its honorary president in 1938. The champion then lent his name to a challenge contested as a 70-kilometre team time trial.
The item on display is the ‘Georges Speicher’ Cup, associated with this event held in Pont-Sainte-Maxence on 4 September 1938. It is therefore not a trophy won by the cyclist, but a cup created in his honour. Crafted from gilded metal, it features a tall, tapered silhouette typical of the Art Deco style. Its smooth, elongated body is framed at the top by geometric ornamentation resembling small handles. The cup rests on a short, circular base. The archive photograph shown on the left depicts this very object and bears the name of Georges Speicher, along with the venue and date of the event.
The photograph on the right shows the champion standing next to a car, with a bicycle wheel over his shoulder. It captures the elegant and popular image of the man who was sometimes nicknamed ‘the Dandy’.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this cup bears witness to the prestige Georges Speicher enjoyed amongst local cycling clubs and the admiration aroused by one of the greatest French champions of the interwar period.
ITEM N° 406
STABLINSKI Jean (F)
(21.05.1932 – 22.07.2007)
The trophy he received in Como in 1959 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Giro d’Italia
Born on 21 May 1932 in Thun-Saint-Amand, Jean Stablinski was one of the most influential French cyclists of his generation. A shrewd tactician, nicknamed ‘the Wizard’ or ‘the Fox’, he had a perfect grasp of how the race unfolded and knew exactly when to launch his decisive attack.
A professional from 1952 to 1968, he won the 1958 Vuelta a España, the 1962 Road World Championships and four French national titles. He also won Paris–Brussels, the Frankfurt Grand Prix, the Amstel Gold Race and twelve stages in the Grand Tours.
A loyal team-mate and lead-out man for Jacques Anquetil, Jean Stablinski competed in the 1959 Giro d’Italia riding for the Helyett team. This 42nd edition, held fifty years after the Giro’s inception in 1909, was won by Charly Gaul ahead of Jacques Anquetil.
When the race passed through Como, Jean Stablinski was presented with this commemorative trophy marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Giro d’Italia. It therefore does not recognise a stage victory, but serves as a testament to his participation in this anniversary edition. The piece takes the form of a silver-coloured metal cup with simple, classic lines. Its slightly flared body is framed by two large curved handles and rests on a circular base. The dark base is surrounded by a metal band bearing an original commemorative engraving. This commemorates the city of Como and the fiftieth anniversary of the Giro.
The photograph on the right shows the trophy displayed alongside a second cup, in front of a portrait of Jean Stablinski wearing the rainbow jersey of the world champion.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this object preserves the memory of Jean Stablinski’s participation in the 1959 Giro and pays tribute to a complete champion, a loyal team-mate and a remarkable tactician.
