1976 Tour de France, Race Used Moto Plaque

The 1976 Tour de France was an exciting spectacle. The race was won by mountain specialist Lucien Van Impe in a battle with the previous winner Bernard Thevenet and Joop Zoetemelk. Zoetemelk won three high mountain stages, including Alpe d’Huez and Puy de Dome, but this Tour became known for when the young Directeur Sportif of Van Impe, Cyrille Guimard, threatened to run Van Impe off the road with the Team Car if he didn’t attack. Van Impe then attacked and won the Tour.

The revelation of the Tour however, was Freddy Maertens, who in his first Tour won eight stages and the points classification, and led the general classification for ten days.

Five-time winner Eddy Merckx did not join in the 1976 Tour de France because he was injured. 1975 winner Bernard Thévenet left the race in the 19th stage, but at that point, it was already clear that Van Impe would win the race.

The mountains classification was won by Giancarlo Bellini with 170 points, only one point ahead of Lucien Van Impe. The young rider classification was won by Enrique Martínez Heredia. Heredia had already won the Tour de l’Avenir in 1974 but never broke through after this win.

In the racing of today, the race organizer cars, team vehicles, and other participants of the official race caravan have disposable stickers that are affixed to the windshield. Slipping a bit into the way back machine, there was a time when the cars had plaques that were 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 Plastic

Size: 8 x 8 inches  (20 x 20 cm)

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