The trophies - 36
ITEM N° 312
VAN LINDEN Rik (B)
(28.07.1949)
The ‘Fausto Coppi’ trophy, won during the prologue of the 1973 Tour of Andalusia
Born on 28 July 1949 in Wilrijk, Rik Van Linden is a former Belgian professional cyclist. A particularly fast sprinter, he was one of the most formidable finishers on the international circuit during the 1970s.
His list of achievements includes two victories in Paris–Tours, in 1971 and 1973, as well as numerous stage wins in the three Grand Tours. He won four stages of the Tour de France, nine of the Giro d’Italia and two of the Vuelta a España. In 1975, he also won the points classification in the Tour de France.
On 11 February 1973, Rik Van Linden won the prologue of the twentieth edition of the Tour of Andalusia in Málaga. He thus took the lead in the race from the very first day. The Belgian dominated the sprint finishes in that edition. After the prologue, he went on to win the stages in Granada, Ronda and Málaga. He finished third in the general classification and won the consistency classification, whilst his compatriot Georges Pintens claimed overall victory.
The item on display is the ‘Fausto Coppi’ trophy awarded to Rik Van Linden following his victory in the prologue. This elegant metal cup features a flared bowl with two slender decorative handles. The bowl rests on a long, tapered stem, which is in turn attached to an imposing ochre-coloured stone plinth. The original commemorative plaque affixed to this plinth commemorates the awarding of the prize.
The photograph shows Rik Van Linden wearing the colours of the Italian Bianchi team. His youthful face evokes the era when he established himself as one of Europe’s finest sprinters.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy preserves the memory of an exceptional 1973 Tour of Andalusia, marked by four victories and Rik Van Linden’s dominance in the sprint finishes.
ITEM N° 649
VAN SPRINGEL Herman (B)
(14.08.1943 – 25.08.2022)
His winner’s trophy from the 1970 Bordeaux–Paris race
Born on 14 August 1943 in Ranst, Herman Van Springel is a former Belgian cyclist who turned professional in 1965 and retired in 1981. Enduring, powerful and an excellent road rider, he was particularly formidable in long-distance races and time trials.
He finished second in the 1968 Tour de France, just 38 seconds behind Jan Janssen, and also came second in the 1971 Giro d’Italia and third in the 1970 Vuelta a España. His list of victories includes the 1968 Tour of Lombardy, the 1966 Ghent–Wevelgem, the 1969 Paris–Tours and two Grand Prix des Nations.
On 6 September 1970, Van Springel lined up at the start of Bordeaux–Paris, a legendary race nicknamed the ‘Derby de la route’. The riders had to cover 620 kilometres before reaching the Cipale velodrome in Paris. Riding for Mann-Grundig, he won after 16 hours, 19 minutes and 22 seconds. He finished 5 minutes 29 seconds ahead of the Frenchman Lucien Aimar and 6 minutes 15 seconds ahead of the Belgian Roger Rosiers. This victory marked the beginning of an exceptional period of dominance. Herman Van Springel went on to win Bordeaux–Paris seven times between 1970 and 1981, a record that earned him the nickname ‘Monsieur Bordeaux–Paris’.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Herman Van Springel for his first victory in the Bordeaux–Paris race. It takes the form of a tall, frosted-looking goblet, slightly tinted green, adorned with two curved handles and a relief frieze around its upper section. The goblet rests on a circular stem attached to a dark square plinth. Its understated and monumental silhouette is reminiscent of the decorative awards presented at the major endurance races of that era.
The signed photograph bears a handwritten note by Herman Van Springel stating that this is the trophy from his first victory in the Bordeaux–Paris race, in 1970. This inscription and his signature constitute a valuable record of provenance.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy commemorates the first of seven victories by a rider who remains inextricably linked to the legend of the Bordeaux–Paris race.
ITEM N° 320
VAN VLIET Teun (NL)
(22.03.1962)
His trophy for winning the Limerick–Galway stage of the 1985 Tour of Ireland
Born on 22 March 1962 in Vlaardingen, Teun van Vliet is a former Dutch professional cyclist who competed from 1984 to 1990. An attacking and versatile rider, he was capable of excelling in the classics, time trials and stage races.
His best season was 1987, during which he won the Circuit Het Volk, Gent–Wevelgem and the general classification of the Tour of the Netherlands. Runner-up in Milan–San Remo in 1985 and Paris–Tours in 1987, he also wore the yellow jersey in the Tour de France for three days in 1988.
On 28 September 1985, Teun van Vliet competed in the second section of the fourth stage of the Tour of Ireland, then known as the Nissan International Classic. The route ran from Limerick to Galway over a distance of 65 kilometres. Riding for the Verandalux-Dries team, the Dutchman won in a time of 2 hours 37 minutes 07 seconds. He finished three seconds ahead of Adrie van der Poel and five seconds ahead of Ludo Peeters. Van Vliet ultimately finished third in the general classification, 2 minutes 19 seconds behind the Irishman Sean Kelly. Adrie van der Poel took second place in this inaugural edition of the Nissan International Classic.
The item on display is the trophy presented to Teun van Vliet for his victory in Galway. It takes the form of an elegant cut-crystal urn, topped by an ornate lid finished with a pyramidal knob. The body of the trophy is decorated with diamond-pointed geometric motifs. The original commemorative inscription, engraved directly into the crystal, refers to the 1985 Nissan Classic and his status as stage winner.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy serves as a memento of his victory on the stage between Limerick and Galway and his third place overall in the first Nissan International Classic.
