The Caballero-Laurens jersey represents one of the most resourceful Dutch teams of the 1960s and early 70s. Bold design, clever rebranding, and a roster of attacking riders who made the most of modest contracts. This is the story behind the kit.
Caballero: Building a Team with Character (1962–1969)
The Caballero team launched in 1962, sponsored by the popular cigarette brand. The name—Spanish for "knight"—suited the combative riders who raced under the banner. Directeur sportif Gé Peters, himself a former world pursuit champion, European madison champion, and multiple national title winner, built a squad known for its attacking style and strong team atmosphere.
Contracts were modest: a few hundred guilders and a clothing package. But the friendly, collegial environment attracted talented riders. Leo Duyndam and Harrie Steevens developed into top-level racers here. Steevens delivered the team's signature victory by winning the 1968 Amstel Gold Race, proving Caballero could compete at the international level.
During these years, the team focused primarily on criteriums and classics in the Benelux, steadily building its reputation in the Dutch peloton.
The 1970 Tour de France and the Advertising Workaround
1970 marked a turning point. Caballero earned a start at the 57th Tour de France. French advertising regulations for tobacco products posed a problem, so the team entered as Caballero-Laurens—using another brand from the same manufacturer to comply with the rules.
The ten-rider squad consisted of: Henk Benjamins, Leo Duyndam, Huub Harings, Arie den Hartog, Cees Rentmeester, Wim Scheepers, Harrie Steevens, Gerard Vianen, Adrie Wouters, and Cees Zoontjens. No stage wins, but they showed the world what Caballero racing looked like: aggressive and unrelenting.
Goudsmit-Hoff: The Final Chapter (1971–1972)
Dutch tobacco advertising laws tightened in the early 1970s. The new Tobacco Act meant the Caballero name could no longer appear on jerseys. The team rebranded as Goudsmit-Hoff, named after the wallpaper factory Goudsmit-Hoff in Rijen. Legendary directeur sportif and former rider Kees Pellenaars ("de Pel") took the reins.
The racing stayed strong. Gerard Vianen won a Tour de France stage in 1971 and took Gent-Wevelgem in 1972. At the end of that season, after eleven years, the team folded—closing one of the most memorable chapters in Dutch cycling history.
Why This Jersey Matters
The Caballero-Laurens kit captures a specific moment: Dutch cycling navigating tobacco advertising restrictions while maintaining competitive racing. The design reflects the straightforward, no-nonsense approach of a team that survived on modest budgets and smart adaptations.
When you wear this jersey, you're referencing riders who raced the Tour de France under a rebranded name because the regulations demanded it—and they found a way to make it work. That's the kind of cycling history worth preserving.
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Note: These Gruppo Sportivo jerseys follow standard European sizing. Please check the size chart.