The bikes - 3
ITEM N° 399
PERON Andrea (I)
(14.08.1971)
Gitane frame used in time trials in 1997
Born on 14 August 1971 in Varese, Lombardy, Andrea Peron is a former Italian professional cyclist. A professional from 1993 to 2006, he was noted primarily for his skills as a road racer, his endurance and his effectiveness in supporting his teams.
Andrea Peron turned professional in 1993. In 1996, he won the general classification of the Tour of Castile and León and finished fifth in the World Time Trial Championships. He subsequently confirmed his prowess in this discipline by becoming Italian time trial champion in 2001.
The 1997 season was Andrea Peron’s first riding for the new La Française des Jeux team. That year, he took part in the Tour de France and secured several top placings in time trials, both solo and in pairs, notably alongside his French team-mate Eddy Seigneur.
The frame shown here was used by Andrea Peron in the time trials of the 1997 season. Manufactured by Gitane, it features a white and blue colour scheme complemented by subtle red accents, in keeping with the colours of La Française des Jeux. Its design differs markedly from that of a traditional road bike frame. The streamlined tubes, the widened down tube, the massive head tube and the clearance around the rear wheel were designed to improve air penetration and reduce aerodynamic drag. This frame illustrates the rapid evolution of time trial bicycles during the 1990s. At the time, manufacturers were seeking ever more streamlined shapes and adopting specific technical solutions to enable specialists to maintain a low position and high speed.
Andrea Peron competed in eight Tours de France and achieved his best result in 1999, finishing tenth in the general classification. His longevity and versatility also enabled him to compete in several Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España races.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this Gitane frame is a valuable testament to Andrea Peron’s career and to the aerodynamic innovations that transformed time trial bikes at the end of the 20th century.
ITEM N° 286
SPEICHER Georges (F)
(08.06.1907 – 24.01.1978)
One of his bicycles, a gift from his wife Mrs Noëlla Speicher
Born on 8 June 1907 in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, Georges Speicher was one of the leading figures in French cycling in the 1930s. Turning professional at the start of that decade, he distinguished himself through his endurance, his burst of speed and his daring on descents.
The year 1933 marked the peak of his career. Selected for the French national team, Georges Speicher won three stages of the Tour de France, claimed the yellow jersey in Marseille and held onto it until the finish at the Parc des Princes. Two months later, called up at the last minute to replace a sick team-mate, he became world road champion at Montlhéry. He thus became the first cyclist to win the Tour de France and the World Championship in the same season. This feat earned him the nickname ‘King of Montlhéry’. Georges Speicher continued his brilliant career by winning five stages of the Tour de France in 1934, followed by another stage in 1935. He racked up a total of nine stage victories in the Tour de France. He also became French road champion in 1935, 1937 and 1939. In 1936, he added Paris–Roubaix to his list of victories. Having reached the Flandres racecourse alongside the Belgians Romain Maes and Gaston Rebry, he was declared the winner by the judges following a sprint that remains both famous and controversial.
The bicycle on display was used by Georges Speicher after his racing career. Its light-coloured frame, slender tubes and traditional butted construction are characteristic of lightweight steel road bicycles. The bike features classic geometry and deliberately understated fittings.
This bicycle has a particularly remarkable family provenance. During a meeting in Normandy, Mrs Speicher, the champion’s wife, personally handed it over to Noël Gregoire so that it might be preserved and help to keep her husband’s memory alive. A photograph shows Mrs Speicher alongside Noël Gregoire and the bicycle, whilst a handwritten letter from her accompanies the item. These records establish a direct link between the object, the rider’s family and the collection.
Georges Speicher, who died on 24 January 1978 in Maisons-Laffitte, is remembered as a popular champion: winner of the Tour de France, world champion and three-time French champion.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this bicycle is a precious memento of Georges Speicher and his exceptional 1933 season, one of the most significant in the history of French cycling.
ITEM N°401
SPEICHER Georges (F)
(08.06.1907 – 24.01.1978)
Track bike frame used in 1938
Georges Speicher was one of the leading figures in French cycling during the 1930s. A professional cyclist from 1932 until the early 1940s, he stood out for his versatility, his burst of speed and his attacking style.
The year 1933 remains the most significant of his career. Georges Speicher won three stages of the Tour de France, claimed the yellow jersey in Marseille and retained the lead in the general classification right up to the finish at the Parc des Princes. A few weeks later, called up at the last minute to compete in the World Road Championships at Montlhéry, he won solo ahead of his compatriot Antonin Magne. He thus became the first rider to win the Tour de France and the World Championships in the same season. This feat earned him the nickname ‘King of Montlhéry’. Georges Speicher then confirmed his talent by winning five stages of the Tour de France in 1934 and a further stage in 1935. He also became French road champion in 1935, 1937 and 1939, and won Paris–Roubaix in 1936. In 1938, the year the frame on display was in use, the French champion took part in the Tour de France for the last time. He also continued to compete on the track, a discipline then very popular with top road cyclists and velodrome audiences.
The preserved frame belongs to a track bicycle used by Georges Speicher in 1938. Made of steel and assembled using connectors, it features slender tubes and a geometry designed to promote responsiveness and speed. The decoration on the seat tube includes tricolour stripes and the rainbow colours. These colours commemorate Georges Speicher’s three national titles and, above all, his world championship title won in 1933. The frame is now displayed with its fork, handlebars, crankset, chainring and chain. Despite the absence of the wheels and several accessories, this assembly retains the main technical characteristics of an authentic track bike from the late 1930s.
On the right, a gathering organised in Normandy brings together Noël Gregoire and Christian Speicher, the champion’s son, around the preserved frame.
Georges Speicher, who died on 24 January 1978 in Maisons-Laffitte, is remembered as an all-round champion: winner of the Tour de France, world champion, three-time French champion and winner of Paris–Roubaix.
Featured in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this track bike frame, used in 1938, is a rare testament to Georges Speicher’s versatility and his career on the velodromes.
