Herman Van Springel, Winner 1969 Paris-Tours, Miroir Original Vintage Press Photo, Photographer Henri Besson

Herman Van Springel, who broke away in the final kilometers to win the race, celebrates his victory at the 1969 Paris-Tours.

This image was published as the cover of the September 30, 1969 issue of Miroir Sprint.

Herman Van Springel was an accomplished time-trial rider, almost winning the Tour de France in 1968. He was unfortunately beaten in the last stage by Dutch rider Jan Janssen in a time trial. This still remains as one of the closest races in Tour de France history. He wore the Maillot Jaune during four stages of the 1968 Tour de France and for three stages in 1973. He was the winner of the Green Jersey in 1973 and has 5 Tour de France Stage wins to his name.

Van Springel won a record seven editions of the marathon Bordeaux–Paris. In the autumn of 1968, he won the classic Giro di Lombardia. In 1971 Van Springel finished on the podium in 2nd place at the Giro d’Italia. He kept on cycling through the 1970s and ended his impressive career at the end of the 1981 season.

These beautiful large-format original press photographs are directly from the archives of Miroir du Cyclisme and Miroir-Sprint.  The reverse of each photo bears the Miroir markings as a road map of its history and authenticity. The images are all stamped by either Miroir du Cyclisme or Miroir-Sprint; many have publication crop marks or show the page and magazine issue the photo was used in.  Some even bear a unique stamp with the name of the photographer.

Miroir du Cyclisme was a French monthly magazine, a photo-focused wonderland of cycling news and historical articles for 35 years, from 1960 to 1994. The companion publication, Miroir-Sprint, came out weekly and reported on news of various sports from 1946 to 1971. In the era before streaming and on-demand viewing, publications like Miroir were how fans kept up on racing results, followed their favorite riders, and stayed current on all things cycling.

Renowned cycling photographers Henri and Marcel Besson, Jean Jaffre, Louis Lucchesi, Roger Monnet, Roger Touchard, and others were featured prominently in both publications, and works from these important photojournalists are included in the selection offered here.

Maurice Vidal founded the magazine and ran it until he died in 1992, which directly contributed to its long-time consistent look and feel.

The issues of both these publications are a treasure trove of cycling history; art and photographs are very collectible among cycling fans.

Miroir Sprint Magazine NOT included.  Image provided for reference only.

Photo Size: 9.5 x 12 inches (24.5 x 30 cm)

As the photographs are quite old and one of a kind, please look carefully at the photos to determine the condition.

This photograph is an original print – the real deal.