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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...

Joop Zoetemelk, a name synonymous with perseverance, consistency and cycling history. Born on December 3, 1946 in the small town of Rijpwetering, this Dutch cycling legend grew into one of the best Tour riders of all time. His career, which spanned a whopping 17 years, is a story of dedication and exceptional achievements. With 16 participations in the Tour de France – a record he shares with Sylvain Chavanel – and a glorious Tour victory in 1980, Zoetemelk has immortalized his name in cycling history. He was a master of riding Grand Tours, as well as numerous other victories, such...

After the success of last year, we are again organizing the TOUR DE RETRO weekend on June 23, 2024 together with fietscafé de Cyklist and Ton Merckx. On Sunday June 23 the tour will take place, on Saturday June 22 there will be a reconnaissance tour for the enthusiasts. It will again be a true retro cycling spectacle with - besides the wonderful Retro Tour - the Wheel of Fortune and a virtual Meet & Greet with cycling heroes of the past.      Program The Tour de Retro 2024 consists of 2 parts; a reconnaissance tour on Saturday and...

Alfonsina Strada the first and only woman to compete in the men's Giro d’Italia in 1924 In the history of cycling, there are names synonymous with heroism, but few are as groundbreaking as Alfonsina Strada-Morini (1891–1959). While the early 20th-century cycling world was a purely male stronghold, this Italian pioneer literally cycled through the barriers. In 1924, she did what no woman has done since: competed in the Giro d’Italia among the men. A Record-Breaking Start Alfonsina Morini was born in 1891 into a large, poor family in Castelfranco Emilia. In 1915, she married Luigi Strada. Unlike her family, Luigi...

El Cojo de Bilbao (The Cripple of Bilbao) Vicente Blanco was no ordinary athlete. He worked in the steel mills of the Basque Country, where two separate accidents cost him a large part of the function in his feet. He walked with great difficulty, but discovered that on a bicycle, his disability hardly hindered him at all. He was good—very good. Vicente won the very first Spanish National Cycling Championship in 1908 and repeated the feat in 1909. In 1910, he decided he wanted to compete in the Tour de France. There was just one problem: the Spanish champion had...

In the long and storied history of the Peugeot cycling team, the years between 1956 and 1960 stand out as perhaps the most fascinating of all. It’s a tale of setbacks and comebacks, and of a hard-earned sporting truth: French flair is beautiful, but without Belgian grit, you simply won’t survive the cobbles.

Introduction When the days get shorter and the roads turn frosty, most riders hang up their bikes. But winter riders know a secret: spring belongs to the cyclists who never stopped. Riding in winter isn't just about staying fit. It's about building resilience, technique, and a stronger connection with the bike. Here's why pushing through the cold season will make you a far better cyclist once the warm weather returns. 1. Endurance Built the Hard Way Winter rides are naturally slower and steadier. Without the pressure of competition or group pace, you spend more time in aerobic endurance zones, training...

When temperatures plummet below 10°C, many cyclists reluctantly hang up their wheels until spring. But here's what decades of winter riding have taught us: with proper thermal protection, cold-weather cycling isn't just possible, it's often the most rewarding riding of the year. The difference between a miserable winter ride and an exhilarating one comes down to two critical pieces of gear: long pants and fleece layering. Here's why these aren't optional extras, but genuine essentials backed by both cycling tradition and exercise physiology. Why long pants are non-negotiable for winter performance Your quadriceps and hamstrings generate the power that propels...

Staat het wielershirt, wielertruitje, wielerjack of wielertenue dat je zoekt niet op onze website? Geen probleem! We verwijzen je graag door naar onze andere website, waar je een unieke collectie van meer dan 2.500 historische wielershirts vindt. Samen met wielertruienverzamelaar Ton Merckx bieden wij een exclusieve service: we maken een replica van jouw gekozen wielershirt uit de periode 1950-2000. De replica is een modern wielershirt dat qua design een exacte kopie is van het originele shirt. Zodra je een bestelling plaatst, maken we hoge resolutiefoto’s van het originele ontwerp, die vervolgens worden omgezet in een nauwkeurig afdruksjabloon. Om copyrightredenen worden...