1961 Criterium International, Race Used Car Plaque, Race Winner Jacques Anquetil

1963 Criterium National de la Route, Race Winner Jacques Anquetil

The Critérium International de la Route was created in 1932 by the Paris-Soir sports journalist Gaston Blenac. Held on the last weekend in March, it was initially open to only French riders and was considered as a sort of French national championship. In the early years, it was a one-day race starting in the Vallée de Chevreuse and finishing at the Parc des Princes Velodrome. Beginning in 1959, the race route started to change every year, and in 1963, the race moved to having 2 or 3 stages over two days of racing. The race was finally opened to non–French cyclists in 1979. Bernard Hinault is the only cyclist to win the race in both its forms. The race has been won by some of the most famous cycling names, including Andre Darrigade, Louison Bobet, Jacques Anquetil, Raymond Poulidor, Sean Kelly, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain, Stephen Roche, Joop Zoetemelk, Laurent Fignon, and Chris Froome. Sadly, the last edition of the legendary race was held in 2016.

Jacques Anquetil was the first rider to win the Tour de France five times and is still one of only four riders to complete the stunning record. Anquetil won the Tour de France in 1957, 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1964. He won the Giro d’Italia in both 1960 and 1964 and the Vuelta a Espana in 1963. He is one of only six cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours. Anquetil won eight Grand Tours in his career, which was a record when he retired and has only since been surpassed by Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault.

Anquetil stated before the 1961 Tour that he would gain the yellow jersey on day one and wear it all through the tour, a tall order with two previous winners in the field—Charly Gaul and Federico Bahamontes—but he did it. His victories in stage races such as the Tour were built on an exceptional ability to ride alone against the clock in individual time trial stages, which lent him the name “Monsieur Chrono”.

In today’s racing, the race organizer cars, team vehicles, and other participants of the official race caravan have disposable stickers affixed to the windshields. Slipping a bit into the way back machine, there was a time when the cars had plaques attached to the front of the follow cars.

As with most things ephemeral, the majority of the plaques were promptly tossed in the trash once the race was finished. The ones that survived have become quite collectible.

Made of Paper over Masonite

Size: 15 3/4 x 9 7/8  inches  (40 x 245cm)

This is a one-of-a-kind item; please look carefully at the photos to determine the condition.