The print media - 7

28 May 2013 – ‘Wallonia not interested, the collection is heading to Flanders’

Published on the RTBF website, this article by Colette Jaspers heralds a new turning point in the history of the collections. After several years of waiting, broken promises and storage in the Blegny-Mine archives, more than five hundred rare items dedicated to the history of cycling were finally set to be returned to the public.

The collection included, in particular, bicycles, trophies, photographs, jerseys and numerous memorabilia linked to the greatest champions. From Antonin Magne’s bike to that of Eddy Merckx, via Marco Pantani’s yellow jersey and Laurent Fignon’s pink jersey, this exceptional collection bore witness to several generations of sporting achievements.

In the absence of any concrete plans in Wallonia, an agreement was signed with the Cycling Museum in Roeselare for an initial period of three years. This collaboration represented much more than a simple relocation of the collections. It offered the opportunity to work with a recognised museum, with genuine expertise, suitable facilities and a team of professionals capable of ensuring the conservation, presentation and promotion of this heritage.

After the profound disappointment experienced at Blegny-Mine, hope was finally rekindled. I was no longer alone in driving this project forward: I could now join forces with a well-established institution and collaborate with people whose very profession was to preserve and pass on the history of cycling. For the first time in a long while, these commitments were translating into a real and tangible prospect.

This move to Roeselare nevertheless stirred mixed feelings. I felt immense relief at the thought that the collections would finally be exhibited, but also a deep sadness at the realisation that they had to leave Wallonia to receive the attention they deserved. The most important thing, however, was that they were being taken out of their boxes, reunited with the public and continuing to keep the memory of the champions alive.

This article thus marks the start of a new adventure. After years of uncertainty, the collections had finally found a serious partner and a professional environment. The dream of a museum dedicated to the history of cycling could be revived, this time on a solid foundation and with the hope of genuine collaboration.