1961 Criterium International, Race Used Car Plaque, Race Winner Louison Bobet

1952 Criterium National de la Route, Race Winner Louison Bobet

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.

Louis “Louison” Bobet was a French professional road racing cyclist. He was the first great French rider of the post-war period and the first to win the Tour de France in three successive years, from 1953 to 1955. His career included the National Road Championship (1950 and 1951), Milan–San Remo (1951), Giro di Lombardia (1951), Critérium International (1951 & 1952), Paris–Nice (1952), Grand Prix des Nations (1952), World Road Championship (1954), Tour of Flanders (1955), Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré (1955), Tour de Luxembourg (1955), Paris–Roubaix (1956) and Bordeaux–Paris (1959).

In today’s racing, the race organizers’ 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: 9 ⅝  x  9 ⅝  inches  (24.5 x 24.5 cm)

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