Unusual objects - 1
ITEM N° 005
AERTS Mario (B)
(31.12.1974)
The shoes he wore when he won the 2002 Flèche Wallonne
A professional cyclist from 1996 to 2011, the Belgian Mario Aerts stood out for his consistency and his skills on undulating courses. His list of victories includes, notably, the Grand Prix d’Isbergues in 1996 and the Circuit Franco-Belge in 2001.
On 17 April 2002, riding for Lotto-Adecco, he won the Flèche Wallonne at the summit of the famous Mur de Huy, ahead of Unai Etxebarria and Michele Bartoli. This victory, achieved in one of the most prestigious Ardennes classics, remains the highlight of his career.
His silver racing shoes, displayed here, are fitted with three wide straps and cleats suitable for clipless pedals. They also appear in the photograph taken during the race and serve as a tangible memento directly associated with this memorable victory.
In 2007, Mario Aerts became the first Belgian to complete the three Grand Tours — the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España — in a single season. After retiring from competitive cycling, he continued his career in professional cycling as a sports director.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this exceptional artefact preserves the memory of Mario Aerts’s most prestigious victory and bears witness to the history of Belgian cycling.
ITEM N° 373
ALLAN Don (AUS)
(24.09.1949)
His race number 123, worn during the 1975 Tour de France
Born in Melbourne, Don Allan was one of the pioneers of Australian cycling in the European professional peloton. After representing his country at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, he joined the Dutch team Frisol and took part in his first Grand Tours.
In 1975, he competed in his second Tour de France and finished the race in 85th place. The No. 123 race number shown here, bearing the logos of L’Équipe and Le Coq Sportif, is direct evidence of his participation in this particularly memorable edition of the Tour de France.
That same year, Don Allan became the first Australian rider to win a stage of the Vuelta a España. He subsequently distinguished himself on the track, notably in Six-Day races, where he and his compatriot Danny Clark formed one of the most renowned Australian pairs of their era. Olympedia, 1975 Tour de France classification
The handwritten letter dated 30 November 2003, also on display, confirms that Don Allan personally sent Noël Grégoire several mementoes from his career. It lends this collection a direct provenance and a valuable human dimension.
Displayed in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, this authentic race number keeps the memory of Don Allan alive and bears witness to the presence of the first Australian riders at the very highest level of European cycling.
ITEM N° 039
BRACKE Ferdinand (B)
(25.05.1939)
Tyre used during his victory at the 1962 Grand Prix des Nations
A Belgian cyclist with a particular talent for solo efforts, Ferdinand Bracke triumphed in the 1962 Grand Prix des Nations, a prestigious 100-kilometre time trial. He won the race in 2 hours 22 minutes 08 seconds, finishing 31 seconds ahead of Jean-Claude Lebaube. This victory paved the way for him to turn professional with the Peugeot team. Results of the Grand Prix des Nations, profile of Ferdinand Bracke
The tubular tyres shown here are believed to have been fitted to his bike during that performance. Lightweight, narrow and glued directly to the rim, these tyres were favoured by champions at the time for their efficiency and flexibility. Their wear and condition bear witness to the physical conditions under which the major time trials of the 1960s were contested.
Ferdinand Bracke went on to confirm his prowess as a road racer by setting the world hour record in 1967 with a distance of 48.093 kilometres. A two-time world champion in the individual pursuit, he also won the Vuelta a España in 1971, finished third in the 1968 Tour de France and won two stages of the Tour.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël Grégoire Collections, these historic tubular tyres preserve the memory of Ferdinand Bracke’s first major victory and constitute a rare physical artefact of competitive cycling from the 1960s.
