Davide Boifava, 1969 Tour of Luxembourg Leader’s Jersey

$950.00

This lovely jersey features both front and back pockets, along with the colors of Luxembourg on the collar and sleeves. A detailed patch in the shape of Luxembourg, with “T.d.L.” in finely chain-stitched embroidery, is sewn onto the front pocket.

Davide Boifava competed professionally from 1969 to 1978 and later enjoyed a long career in cycling management from 1979 to 2007. In his debut season as a professional, riding for Molteni, he won the overall Tour de Luxembourg in June 1969. He secured a stage victory at the Giro d’Italia, wearing the pink jersey for one day, while finishing 15th overall. He added a second Giro stage win in 1971 and claimed national track pursuit titles in 1969 and 1973. After retiring, he became a successful directeur sportif, guiding Carrera‑Inoxpran (later Carrera Jeans) to multiple Grand Tour victories—most notably the 1981 Giro–Vuelta double by Giovanni Battaglin, the 1986 Giro by Roberto Visentini, and the 1987 Giro–Tour by Stephen Roche.

The Tour de Luxembourg, first held in 1935, is an annual multi-stage road race held in Luxembourg, traditionally in early June (although it was moved to September starting in 2020). Classified by the UCI as a 2 Pro event, it became part of the UCI Europe Tour in 2006 and was elevated to the UCI ProSeries in 2020. Initially dominated by riders from Luxembourg, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands—such as Mathias Clemens (who holds the record with five overall victories), Charly Gaul, Louison Bobet, and Freddy Maertens—the race began attracting broader international competition in the early 1980s, welcoming winners from countries like Russia, Switzerland, and Denmark. Today, it remains a key fixture on the professional calendar.

This jersey includes the original label from Bar Augusto.

This jersey was acquired directly from the Augusto Gotti family and was part of the collection in the legendary Bar Augusto in Villa d’Alme, Italy.  Bar Augusto was a key host to professional and amateur cycling teams from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Size: N/A

Chest: 31 inches / 79 cm ( 15 ½ inches / 39.5 cm measured armpit to armpit)

Length: 27 in / 68.5 cm

Maker: Alex Sport, Made in France

Please note: This jersey hung on the wall of Bar Augusto for many years and has developed a “Bar Patina” from exposure to smoke, dust, etc.

The jersey does have small holes, spots, and discoloration. This is a one-of-a-kind item, so please look carefully at the photos to determine its condition.

 

In stock

Description

Bar Augusto

Bar Augusto, located in Alme (Bergamo), Italy, was renowned for its support of cycling teams and its world-class bicycle racing collection that focused on trophies and race-worn jerseys. A family-owned business, the bar, and its attached inn flourished in the 1970s and 1980s. Augusto Gotti, the enterprise’s face, welcomed amateur national teams to stay at Bar Augusto while the riders trained and raced in the region. Many Western and Eastern Bloc national teams embraced the Gotti family’s welcoming spirit and were among the most ardent supporters.

Bar Augusto 1966
Augusto Gotti (Center) with Edy Schütz (Left), Luxembourg National Champion and winner of the 1966 Tour of Luxembourg,  and an unknown third person pictured in the interior of the famous watering hole.

Augusto was a devoted cycling fan and astute collector of jerseys. Active and retired professional and amateur riders gave the bar hundreds of jerseys, and all hung with pride on the walls of the storied bar. The jersey collection read like a venerable who’s who of the cycling world from the 1950s through the 1980s. Coppi, Gimondi, Motta, Merckx, Anquetil, Van Looy, Altig, and hundreds more professional jerseys hung alongside the best of the best Eastern Bloc riders. Given its incredible diversity, depth, and breadth, it would be challenging, if not impossible, to build the same collection today.

With time, Augusto decided to retire, close the bar, and enjoy a more relaxed pace of life in his autumn years. A year or so before Augusto passed away, and with the help of former Polish and US National Team Coach Eddie Borysewicz, we were honored to acquire the Gotti Collection. Augusto’s and our collection combined beautifully, and between the two, there were only two overlapping items: an Eddy Merckx maillot jaune and a Bernard Hinault Renault team jersey. To this day, our collection is what is thanks in no small measure to a quaint bar and inn tucked into a picturesque valley in Northern Italy.

By Brett Horton, Jan 2021

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Each jersey is one of a kind; please look carefully at the photos to determine the condition.

Additional information

Weight 2 lbs

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