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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...

Parijs-Roubaix. De naam alleen al doet de kuiten van elke wielerliefhebber trillen. We noemen het ‘De Hel van het Noorden’ vanwege de moordende kasseistroken, de stofwolken en de modder die de gezichten van renners onherkenbaar maakt. Maar wist je dat de naam een veel duisterdere oorsprong heeft? De "Hel" sloeg honderd jaar geleden niet op de weg, maar op de wereld die eromheen lag. 1896 - het startschot van Parijs-Roubaix De eerste Parijs-Roubaix werd in 1896 georganiseerd door de krant Le Vélo op verzoek van twee Franse ondernemers die hun wielerbaan in Roubaix wilde promoten.De start in Parijs en finish...

Since the Tour of Flanders took place last weekend, it's about time we look back at this beautiful race. Because although we know that many people think of the Cannibal, van Looy or Raas, there are many other successful riders who have won this race several times. And one of them is Eric Leman. Want to know more about him? Then feel free to read this blog.

Racing Between Bullet Holes This Sunday April 5, 2026, the peloton will once again thunder across the Flemish hills. Today, the Ronde is a celebration of life; a mix of parties, beer, and heroism. But eighty years ago, in April 1944, the atmosphere was grim. While Europe groaned under German occupation, the race went on. Not out of indifference, but as an ultimate act of silent resistance. It became the day a 19-year-old "upstart" shocked the cycling establishment. Racing Between Bullet Holes Imagine: it is April 2, 1944. Flanders is occupied territory. There is scarcity, there is fear, and the...

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...