1965 Tour de France/Tour de l’Avenir, Race Official’s Car Flag, Felice Gimondi

This unique two-sided flag was created for both the 1965 Tour de France and Tour de l’Avenir.

In a tradition that started with the first Tour de France in 1903, these flags were affixed to wood dowels and placed in special holders on race official cars. These flags were used well into the 1960s. For 20+ years after that, the flags were used by officials and course marshals to warn riders of oncoming danger. What is particularly appealing is during the period from post-WWII until the late 1960s, the flags had the year clearly visible. As time has marched on, the desirability of these flags has grown, with particular interest given to the years where the winner was also considered a great champion.

Going into the 1965 Tour, Raymond Poulidor was the race favorite. No one expected Felice Gimondi, in his first year as a professional and a last-minute addition to the Salvarani team, to be atop the podium in Paris. Gimondi is one of the very few riders to have won all three of the Grand Tours. Poulidor finished second, with Gianni Motta in third.

1965 was the 5th edition of the Tour de l’Avenir. Until 1967 the race took place earlier in the day, but on the same course at the Tour de France.  It was created to attract teams from nations that had no professional riders to enter the Tour de France. The 1965 race winner was Mariano Diaz of Spain.

Flag Size: 23 1/4  x 17 inches (59 x 44.5 cm)
Stick Length: 19 in (48 cm)

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