The trophies - 33
ITEM N° 407
STABLINSKI Jean (F)
(21.05.1932 – 22.07.2007)
Trophy presented to the French champion during the 1958 Tour of Spain
Born on 21 May 1932 in Thun-Saint-Amand, in the Nord department, Jean Stablinski was one of the most well-rounded French cyclists of his generation. An excellent tactician, he was nicknamed ‘the Sorcerer’ or ‘the Fox’ for his racing intelligence.
A professional from 1952 to 1968, his notable achievements included winning the 1962 Road World Championships, four French national titles and five stages of the Tour de France. He was also a valuable road captain alongside Jacques Anquetil.
In 1958, Jean Stablinski lined up at the start of the 13th edition of the Vuelta a España, contested over sixteen stages between Bilbao and Madrid. He won the eighth stage and wore the leader’s jersey for seven days. Having held off Rik Van Looy, and subsequently the attacks from his Spanish and Italian rivals, he won the general classification in 94 hours, 54 minutes and 21 seconds. Pasquale Fornara finished second, 2 minutes and 51 seconds behind, ahead of Fernando Manzaneque.
This victory was Jean Stablinski’s only success in the general classification of a Grand Tour. It was a reward for his consistency, his endurance and his remarkable tactical mastery.
The item on display is the trophy presented to Jean Stablinski upon his victory in the 1958 Tour of Spain. It takes the form of a large gilded metal vase with a tall, elegant silhouette. Its elongated body, slightly flared at the top, is framed by two imposing silver handles adorned with plant motifs. The whole rests on a wide black plinth with rounded lines.
The photograph on the left shows Jean Stablinski presenting this trophy alongside another cup. The portrait behind him, in which he is wearing the rainbow jersey, commemorates the world title he won four years after his victory in the Vuelta.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy preserves the memory of Jean Stablinski’s greatest success in a stage race and bears witness to the exceptional career of a courageous, loyal and astute strategist.
ITEM N° 290
STERCKX Ernest (B)
(01.12.1922 – 03.02.1975)
His trophy for winning the 1950 Sels Cup
Born on 1 December 1922 in Westerlo, Ernest Sterckx, nicknamed ‘Nest’, was one of Belgium’s leading specialists in the classics and kermesse races. A professional from 1943 to 1958, he stood out for his power and formidable burst of speed.
His impressive list of victories includes Ghent–Wevelgem in 1946, the Flèche Wallonne and Paris–Brussels in 1947, the Tour of Belgium in 1949 and the Grand Prix de l’Escaut in 1951. He also won the Circuit Het Volk three times, in 1952, 1953 and 1956.
In 1950, Ernest Sterckx triumphed in the Sels Cup, an Antwerp-based race named after the sports journalist Jacques-Charles Sels. At the finish in Merksem, he finished ahead of his compatriots Albert Ramon and Maurice Blomme. This victory was a fitting reward for a rider who excelled in one-day races. His club, the Lierse Bicycle Club, also secured second place in the team classification.
The trophy on display takes the form of a rectangular plaque of light-coloured stone resting on a wide black plinth. Its embossed metal decoration combines a laurel branch – a symbol of victory – with a scene evoking the port of Antwerp. The upper medallion depicts a sailing ship, figures and several of the city’s monuments. It is accompanied by the emblem of the Belgian Cycling Federation, highlighting the official nature of the competition. The lower plaque bears the Dutch inscription ‘Aan Ernest Sterckx – 1ste Schaal Sels – 1950’, meaning: ‘To Ernest Sterckx, winner of the 1950 Sels Cup’. This original engraving directly identifies the rider and his victory.
The portrait on the left shows Ernest Sterckx carrying his spare tubular tyre over his shoulder, as was customary at the time. The illustration on the right depicts his victorious arrival before the crowd.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy preserves the memory of Ernest Sterckx’s victory in the 1950 Sels Cup and pays tribute to one of the finest Belgian classics riders of the post-war era.
ITEM N° 291 (B)
STERCKX Ernest (B)
(01.12.1922 – 03.02.1975)
His winner’s trophy from the 1948 ‘Drie Zustersteden’
Ernest Sterckx, nicknamed ‘Nest’, was a powerful Belgian cyclist, particularly formidable in the classics and kermesse races. He competed as a professional from 1943 to 1958.
His list of victories includes, notably, Ghent–Wevelgem in 1946, the Flèche Wallonne and Paris–Brussels in 1947, the Tour of Belgium in 1949, as well as three victories in the Circuit Het Volk.
In 1948, riding for Alcyon, Ernest Sterckx won the Drie Zustersteden, or ‘Three Sister Cities’, a Flemish semi-classic held in the Willebroek area. The race’s name refers to the cities of Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges. He finished ahead of Raymond De Smedt and Marcel Rijckaert. That same year, he also won the Circuit of Central Belgium and came third in the Belgian Road Championship.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Ernest Sterckx for his victory in the 1948 Drie Zustersteden. It takes the form of a rectangular plaque made of light-coloured stone, resting on two small supports. Its bronze decoration consists of a large laurel branch – the traditional symbol of the winner – and a medallion depicting a ship, figures and several monuments in Antwerp. The emblem of the Belgian Cycling Federation completes the composition. The lower plaque bears the original engraving ‘Sterckx Ernest – Drie Zustersteden 1948’, which directly identifies the rider and the race.
The photograph on the left shows Ernest Sterckx being celebrated after a victory, surrounded by officials and wearing an imposing wreath of flowers. It captures the festive atmosphere of post-war cycling finishes.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy preserves the memory of a major success from the 1948 season and bears witness to Ernest Sterckx’s remarkable prowess in the major Flemish one-day races.
