The bikes - 2
ITEM N° 188
MAERTENS Freddy (B)
(13.02.1952)
His bicycle frame from 1973
Born on 13 February 1952 in Lombardsijde, Freddy Maertens was one of Belgium’s greatest champions of the 1970s and early 1980s. A professional cyclist from 1972 to 1987, he made his mark not only as an exceptional sprinter but also as a all-rounder capable of excelling in the classics and stage races.
The 1973 season marked his first major year as a professional. Riding for the Flandria team, he notably finished second in the Tour of Flanders and became runner-up in the World Road Championships in Barcelona, behind the Italian Felice Gimondi.
At the height of his career, Freddy Maertens won two world road cycling championships, in 1976 and 1981. He also won the Belgian road cycling championship in 1976 and triumphed twice in Gent–Wevelgem, in 1975 and 1976. His record in the Grand Tours is equally impressive. On his first appearance in the Tour de France, in 1976, he won eight stages, wore the yellow jersey for ten days and won the points classification. He claimed the green jersey again in 1978 and 1981. In 1977, Freddy Maertens dominated the Vuelta a España, wearing the leader’s jersey from start to finish. He won the general classification as well as thirteen stages, a feat that remains one of the most impressive performances in the history of the Grand Tours.
The frame on display was used by Freddy Maertens in 1973. Made of steel and assembled using tube joints, it features an elegant red and white finish. The name ‘Freddy Maertens’, inscribed on the down tube, highlights the personalised nature of this bike, which was built specifically for the Belgian champion. Its sporty geometry, slender tubes and traditional construction are typical of competition bikes from the early 1970s. Designed to accommodate lightweight, high-performance components, this frame was intended to match the power and speed that already characterised the young Maertens.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this frame, used in 1973, bears witness to Freddy Maertens’ professional debut, a few years before he became a double world champion and one of the most successful riders of his era.
ITEM N° 195
MAGNE Antonin (F)
(15.02.1904 – 08.09.1983)
Bicycle used by the two-time winner of the Tour de France
Born on 15 February 1904 in Ytrac, in the Cantal department, Antonin Magne was one of the leading figures in French cycling during the interwar period. A professional from 1926 to 1939, he stood out for his consistency, stamina and remarkable ability as a road racer.
Nicknamed ‘Tonin the Wise’ or ‘Tonin the Methodical’, he was renowned for his seriousness, discretion and meticulous preparation. Diligent in both his training and his diet, he was regarded as one of the most methodical riders of his era.
Antonin Magne won the Tour de France twice, in 1931 and 1934. He also made it onto the podium in the race in 1930, finishing third, and again in 1936, when he came second. During his ten appearances in the race, he won nine stages. The year 1936 brought him further acclaim with his victory at the Road World Championships held in Bern. An outstanding specialist in solo efforts, he also won three consecutive editions of the Grand Prix des Nations, from 1934 to 1936. After his racing career, Antonin Magne became a respected team manager. At the helm of the Mercier team, he worked with several great champions, including Rik Van Steenbergen and Raymond Poulidor.
The bicycle on display is one of the bikes used by Antonin Magne. Its steel frame, orange-red paintwork and butted construction reflect the traditional methods used to manufacture competition bicycles of that period. It is fitted with deeply curved racing handlebars, a leather saddle, cable brakes and a gear-changing system. Its slender tubes, narrow wheels and understated fittings illustrate the evolution of cycling equipment during an era when riders had to tackle very long stages on often challenging roads.
This item has a particularly remarkable provenance. In 1992, in Arcachon, Mrs Germaine Magne, the champion’s wife, personally presented this bicycle to Noël Gregoire. The photograph shown on the right captures the memory of this meeting and confirms the direct link between the bicycle and Antonin Magne’s family.
Antonin Magne, who died on 8 September 1983 in Arcachon, is remembered as an exemplary champion, a two-time winner of the Tour de France, a world champion and a major figure in the history of French cycling.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this bicycle is a precious physical testament to Antonin Magne’s career and to the trust placed by his wife in preserving his memory.
ITEM N° 207
MOSER Francesco (I)
(19.06.1951)
His track bike used in the Six Days in 1978 and 1979
Born on 19 June 1951 in Palù di Giovo, in Trentino, Francesco Moser is one of the greatest Italian cyclists of the post-war era. A professional from 1973 to 1988, he enjoyed an exceptional career on both the road and the track.
Nicknamed ‘Lo Sceriffo’ (The Sheriff), Francesco Moser stood out for his power, his distinctive riding position and his remarkable all-round ability. His athletic build enabled him to excel in time trials, cobbled classics and pursuit races.
On the road, he became world champion in 1977, having won the silver medal in 1976. He also won Paris–Roubaix for three consecutive years, from 1978 to 1980, as well as the Tour of Lombardy in 1975 and 1978. In 1984, Francesco Moser enjoyed one of the greatest seasons of his career. He won Milan–San Remo, triumphed in the Giro d’Italia and set a new hour record in Mexico City thanks to scientific preparation and the use of innovative aerodynamic equipment. Francesco Moser also boasts a remarkable track record. World champion in the individual pursuit in 1976, he regularly took part in Six-Day races, in which riders compete in teams over long evenings of racing.
The bicycle on display was used by Francesco Moser during the Six-Day races held in 1978 and 1979. During this period, partnering the Dutchman René Pijnen, he won the Milan and Dortmund Six-Day Races in 1978, followed by those in Milan and Grenoble in 1979. This elegant track bike features a red steel frame, a chrome fork and seat stays, as well as deeply curved handlebars wrapped in blue handlebar tape. The name ‘Moser’ appears on the down tube, emphasising the direct link between the bike and the Italian champion. With no brakes or derailleurs, the bike is fitted with a fixed sprocket and a large chainring suited to the high speeds reached on velodromes. Its tubular tyres, narrow saddle and compact geometry meet the demands of Six-Day races, characterised by repeated accelerations, relay rides and pursuits.
The photograph shown on the right features Noël Gregoire and Francesco Moser. This meeting with the champion completes the bike’s story and highlights the human as well as sporting value of this collector’s item.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this track bike, used in 1978 and 1979, bears witness to Francesco Moser’s exceptional versatility, as he was just as brilliant on the velodromes as he was on the roads of the greatest international competitions.
