The trophies - 38
ITEM N° 301
VANDERAERDEN Eric (B)
(11.02.1962)
Trophy of unknown origin won by the Belgian champion
Eric Vanderaerden is a former Belgian cyclist who turned professional in 1983 and retired in 1996. A powerful sprinter and outstanding all-rounder, he is regarded as one of the finest classics specialists of his generation.
Notably, he won the Tour of Flanders and Ghent–Wevelgem in 1985, followed by Paris–Roubaix in 1987. He also won five stages of the Tour de France, wore the yellow jersey for several days and claimed the points classification in 1986.
The photograph shown in the background depicts Eric Vanderaerden covered in mud as he pushes on. It evokes the gruelling conditions of the Northern Classics and recalls his memorable victory in the 1987 Paris–Roubaix.
The item on display is a trophy won by Eric Vanderaerden, but the race and the year to which it relates could not be determined. In the absence of any legible inscription or documentation confirming its award, it is advisable to maintain this cautious identification. The object takes the form of a gilded metal vase, featuring a wide cylindrical neck and two small button-shaped handles on either side. Its lower section is decorated with long vertical flutes, giving it a simple, classical appearance. The trophy rests on a circular foot attached to an imposing, dark rectangular plinth. The signs of wear and the patina visible on the metal bear witness to its age and history.
Having come directly from the champion’s personal circle, this object remains a precious material testament to his career. Future research or the discovery of a period photograph might help to clarify its origin.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy serves as a reminder of the exceptional career of a fast, powerful and courageous rider, whose name remains associated with the greatest cycling classics.
ITEM N° 323
VERBRUGGHE Rik (B)
(23.07.1974)
His winner’s trophy from the 2001 Critérium International
Born on 23 July 1974 in Tirlemont, Rik Verbrugghe is a former Belgian professional cyclist who competed from 1996 to 2008. An excellent all-rounder and classics specialist, he stood out for his power and his ability to ride solo.
In 2001, riding for the Lotto–Adecco team, he enjoyed the best season of his career. He won the Critérium International, the Flèche Wallonne and the prologue of the Giro d’Italia, held in Pescara, in quick succession. He also won a stage of the Tour de France in Lavaur.
The Critérium International is a stage race renowned for identifying a well-rounded rider. Its traditional programme comprises a road stage, a hilly stage and an individual time trial. Thanks to his consistency and his skills as a road racer, Rik Verbrugghe claimed the general classification in the 2001 edition.
The item on display is the trophy presented to Rik Verbrugghe for this overall victory. Its circular shape is a direct reference to a bicycle wheel. Inside the golden circle, several silver-coloured metal sprockets are stacked to evoke the mechanism and drivetrain of a bicycle.
The whole piece rests on a dark rectangular plinth. The original plaque bears the name of the Critérium International as well as the inscription ‘General Classification – Winner’, confirming the object’s purpose and award.
The small photograph on the right is a valuable document of provenance. It shows Rik Verbrugghe personally presenting his 2001 Critérium International trophy, along with his 2002 Tour de Romandie leader’s jersey, to Noël Grégoire.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this trophy preserves the memory of Rik Verbrugghe’s remarkable 2001 season and bears witness to the career of a powerful, fast rider who was particularly successful in time trials.
ITEM N°326
VISENTINI Roberto (I)
(02.06.1957)
Trophy signed by the Italian champion
Born on 2 June 1957 in Gardone Riviera, Roberto Visentini is a former Italian cyclist who turned professional between 1978 and 1990. An excellent time-trialist and a remarkable stage racer, he made his mark from a young age by becoming junior world road champion in 1975.
His greatest success came in 1986 when he won the Giro d’Italia, ahead of Giuseppe Saronni and Francesco Moser. His list of achievements also includes the 1983 Tirreno–Adriatico, several stages of the Giro, and numerous victories in Italian races.
The item on display is an elegant gilded metal cup belonging to Roberto Visentini. Its precise sporting origin, however, remains unclear, as there is currently no inscription that allows it to be linked with certainty to a particular victory or ceremony. The cup has a hemispherical bowl with a finely textured surface. Two long, curved handles extend from the base and rise gracefully above the rim. The bowl rests on a central element of veined stone, probably onyx or alabaster, supported by a richly decorated metal base. The whole is set upon a cubic plinth of light-coloured stone. On the front, Roberto Visentini has handwritten the dedication ‘Al Museo del Ciclismo’, accompanied by his signature. This inscription establishes a personal and direct link between the champion and the object on display. A badge affixed to the right-hand side of the plinth bears the inscription ‘Sculture artigianali sportive – S. Lorenzo di Parabiago – Reari’. It appears to identify the Italian workshop that manufactured or sold this cup in San Lorenzo di Parabiago, in the Milan area. This mark therefore provides information about its manufacture, but does not, on its own, enable us to identify the race at which it was awarded.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this signed trophy is a valuable record of its provenance. It keeps alive the memory of Roberto Visentini, winner of the 1986 Giro d’Italia and a leading figure in Italian cycling during the 1980s.
