The trophies - 37
ITEM N° 350
VAN VLIET Teun (NL)
(22.03.1962)
The trophy he received at the 1987 Six Hours of Euskadi
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 also had solid experience on the track.
After becoming junior world champion in the points race in 1979, he went on to make a name for himself on the road. His best season was 1987, marked by his victories in the Circuit Het Volk, Ghent–Wevelgem and the Tour of the Netherlands.
On 31 January 1987, he took part in the Six Hours of Euskadi, a major cycling spectacle held at the Anoeta Velodrome in San Sebastián. This event combined several track races, demonstrations of traditional Basque sports and various popular entertainment activities. Teun van Vliet teamed up with the Belgian Eric Vanderaerden. The pair finished fourth in the main classification, which was won by the Swiss duo Urs Freuler and Daniel Gisiger. Bontempi–Argentin came second and Kaech–Moser third.
The item on display is a trophy presented to Teun van Vliet on the occasion of the 1987 Six Hours of Euskadi. Its highly modern design evokes a portico within which a large circular motif is suspended. Crafted from a light-coloured material, the structure rests on a substantial rectangular plinth of dark stone. Several small metal plaques affixed to the plinth commemorate the event and the awarding of this honour. With its original design, the object stands out from traditional sports trophies. It bears witness to the spectacular nature of the Six Hours of Euskadi, an event bringing together road champions and track specialists before the crowd at the Anoeta velodrome.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy preserves the memory of Teun van Vliet’s participation in the 1987 edition of this famous Basque event.
ITEM N° 299
VANDERAERDEN Eric (B)
(11.02.1962)
His winner’s trophy for Stage 5 of the 1991 Tour de Luxembourg
Born on 11 February 1962 in Herk-de-Stad, Eric Vanderaerden is a former Belgian professional cyclist who competed from 1983 to 1996. A powerful sprinter and excellent all-rounder, he was one of the leading specialists in the classics and prologues of his generation.
His list of honours includes, notably, the 1985 Tour of Flanders, the 1987 Paris–Roubaix, the 1985 Ghent–Wevelgem and five overall victories in the Three Days of La Panne. He also won five stages of the Tour de France and the green jersey for the points classification in 1986.
On 16 June 1991, riding for the Buckler–Colnago–Decca team, Eric Vanderaerden won the final stage of the Tour of Luxembourg, a 174-kilometre race around Diekirch. He finished ahead of the Belgian Johan Verstrepen and the Dutchman Adrie van der Poel. This victory perfectly illustrates his qualities as a finisher. Always a formidable force in sprint finishes, the Belgian champion knew how to use his power, positioning and experience to dominate his rivals.
The item on display is the trophy awarded to Eric Vanderaerden for this stage victory. It takes the form of an elegant gilded metal cup, comprising a flared bowl and two large, ornate handles finished with scrolls. The cup rests on a short stem attached to a dark square plinth. The original engraved plaque bears the inscription ‘Tour de Luxembourg 1991 – Winner – Stage 5 – Diekirch–Diekirch’, establishing a direct link between the object, the rider and his success.
Some sources list six race stages, including the prologue, but the numbering on the trophy clearly designates this finish in Diekirch as the 5th stage.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy preserves the memory of a victory achieved by one of the fastest and most talented Belgian cyclists of the 1980s and 1990s.
ITEM N° 300
VANDERAERDEN Eric (B)
(11.02.1962)
His trophy as winner of the 1980 Étoile du Sud-Limbourg juniors
Born on 11 February 1962 in Herk-de-Stad, Eric Vanderaerden emerged at a very early age as one of the great prospects of Belgian cycling. Fast, powerful and already an excellent time-trialist, he enjoyed numerous successes in the youth categories.
In 1980, aged eighteen, he won the Étoile du Sud-Limbourg, a race reserved for juniors. This victory demonstrated the qualities that would subsequently characterise his professional career: speed, consistency and the ability to win on a variety of courses.
After turning professional in 1983, Eric Vanderaerden won, notably, the 1985 Tour of Flanders, the 1985 Ghent–Wevelgem and the 1987 Paris–Roubaix. He also won five stages of the Tour de France and the green jersey for the points classification in 1986.
The item on display is the trophy awarded for his victory in the 1980 Étoile du Sud-Limbourg junior race. It is a tall, silver-coloured metal cup with a simple, slender silhouette. Its flared bowl is covered by a lid surmounted by a small decorative motif in the shape of a laurel wreath.
The body of the cup rests on a moulded stem attached to a dark square plinth. The original engraved plaque mentions the race, the year 1980 and the final ranking, establishing the link between the object and the success achieved by the young champion.
The photographs accompanying the trophy draw a parallel between the young cyclist and the man he has become. They evoke the exceptional journey of a precocious talent, who progressed from junior competitions to the greatest international classics.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy is a valuable testament to Eric Vanderaerden’s early career and heralds the brilliant career of one of the finest Belgian cyclists of his generation.
