Following exhibitions on cyclocross and women’s cycling, track cycling has now taken the spotlight at the Maison du Cyclisme since September 28.

Over the next four months, the museum shines a light on legendary Belgian figures such as Ferdinand Bracke, Michel Vaarten, and Patrick Sercu. Moreover, internationally acclaimed riders, including the Dutch cyclist Léon van Bon, enrich this remarkable display.

In addition, visitors can discover an exceptional collection of dernies and stayers. Certain items are unique worldwide and come from the velodrome in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.

Thanks to a collaboration with the Six Days of Ghent and Belgian Cycling, the MDC also presents jerseys, trophies, and other cycling equipment. Meanwhile, original documents reveal the fascinating history of velodromes in the province of Liège.

Altogether, these treasures and narratives form the “tracks to follow” currently on display at the Maison du Cyclisme, offering visitors a captivating journey through the heritage and excitement of track cycling.

The Early Days of Cycling

The first track cycling races took place in public parks and velodromes. This exhibition illustrates how these venues shaped the development of the sport.

Over several decades, velodromes multiplied across Europe and Belgium, particularly in our region. Rocourt became the most famous among them. Eventually, concrete and wooden tracks replaced the older surfaces, and they continue to contribute to the enduring popularity of cycling today.

Moreover, events known as the “Six Days” achieved unprecedented popularity, especially in Ghent. Alongside Bremen, Berlin, and Rotterdam, the Ghent Six-Day Race remains the only one of its kind still active.

This new exhibition at the Maison du Cyclisme L-B-L presents the full history of track cycling through various spaces and display cases. Visitors can explore its many disciplines, including the Madison, points race, individual pursuit, derny and stayer races, elimination, keirin, kilometre, 200 m sprint, omnium, pursuit, scratch, tandem, and sprint events.

Belgian Champions: From Ferdinand Bracke to Jeff Scherens, Including Vaarten and Keisse

Ferdinand Bracke stands as the iconic figure of this exhibition. A two-time World Pursuit Champion, the Walcourt native boasts an impressive record in track cycling, alongside his remarkable achievements in the Tour de France and the Vuelta.

Thanks to collector Bernard Laloux, the Maison du Cyclisme displays Bracke’s “Peugeot” suit, worn when he broke the hour record in Rome in 1967—five years before Eddy Merckx. Additionally, his helmet and custom-made polished shoes, crafted by an Italian artisan and used during the record attempt, are also on exhibit.

Visitors can admire his jersey and World Pursuit Championship medal, won in 1969 in Antwerp. Ferdinand honored the Maison du Cyclisme with his presence during its inauguration in April 2024. Today, he takes center stage once again in this exhibition, much to the delight of all visitors.

Recent Pieces

More recent items are also on display, including the jerseys and trophies of Michel Vaarten. He became World Keirin Champion in 1986 and won the Olympic silver medal in the kilometre in 1976.

Visitors can also see the suits and gloves of Iljo Keisse. He was three-time European Madison Champion and European Champion in the derny race.

These pieces are presented thanks to collectors Sébastien Bruyer and Sébastien Hamtiaux. The Maison du Cyclisme now collaborates with these new collectors to further enrich its track cycling exhibition.

National Colours in Track Cycling

Thanks to Belgian Cycling, the national colours shine at the Maison du Cyclisme. Visitors can admire the track helmet of Shari Bossuyt, the recent winner of the Grand Prix of Wallonia. A national team training bike, used at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, is also on display.

In addition, a complete azure-blue outfit, adorned with the tricolour flag, is presented. It is displayed near the suit of Hélène Hesters, European silver medallist in the elimination race.

These items highlight Belgium’s heritage and the history of track cycling, offering visitors a captivating glimpse into the sport’s national pride.

Exceptional Bicycles

The collection also includes exceptional bicycles belonging to Belgian riders. Ferdinand Bracke’s Peugeot, with which he broke the hour record, is among the exhibits. Jeff “Poeske” Scherens’ bike, who was seven-time World Sprint Champion between 1932 and 1947, is also presented.

Patrick Sercu’s training bike, a double World Sprint Champion and Amateur World Champion at Rocourt, is included as well. This bike was gifted to him by its manufacturer for his 1964 Olympic title in Tokyo.

Do not miss Eddy Merckx’s 1974 track bike. Merckx was European Champion in both the omnium and the Madison race.

The Maison du Cyclisme also features an international showcase, displaying jerseys from past and present riders. The highlight comes from the mini-exhibition on Japan: Koichi Nakano’s #2 jersey, ten-time World Sprint Champion. His presence is perfectly justified in this exhibition on track cycling.

Léon van Bon in the Spotlight

The showcase highlights Léon van Bon, the Dutch cyclist. Today a press photographer, he was Olympic silver medallist in the points race at the 1992 Barcelona Games. In addition, he claimed multiple Dutch national titles, both on track and on the road.

The display includes a jersey from the Six Days of Amsterdam and his trophy from the Six Days of Apeldoorn. Visitors can also see his national team suit from the Barcelona Olympics and the frame of his racing bike.

Théo Bos and Dany Stam

hanks to Dutch collector Jos Van Dijck, the MDC features two other Dutch champions. Théo Bos was a multiple World Champion in sprint, kilometre, and keirin. He raced for the South African MTN Qhubeka team.

Meanwhile, Dany Stam was a two-time World silver medallist in the Madison. Both riders competed in the early 2000s, contributing significantly to the international track cycling scene.

Women and France Also Celebrated at the MDC

Following the spirit of our previous exhibition on women’s cycling, the MDC showcases several champion female riders. Visitors can admire the suits and jerseys of Kirsten Wild (NL), Mathilde Gros (FR), and Clara Copponi (FR).

The selection is further enriched by Franco-Laotian Fanny Cauchois-One, Canadian Lauriane Genest, and Danish Amalie Winther-Olsen, highlighting the international dimension of track cycling.

France is also well represented in the exhibition. Jean-Michel Monin’s jersey, commemorating his Olympic Team Pursuit gold medal in Atlanta, is on display. In addition, visitors can see the only Cinelli track bike owned by Bernard Hinault.

Spotlight on Velodromes in the Province

Rocourt and La Boverie

Our collector Jean-Pierre Ropet, a member of the Pesant Club Liégeois, knows the history of velodromes better than anyone. In the past century, our province boasted an astonishing number of velodromes, with the cities of Verviers and Liège each having four.

The oldest velodrome was La Boverie, while the most legendary remains Rocourt, where the RFC Liégeois football club also trained.

In a dedicated showcase, visitors can discover that Rocourt hosted four World Championships: 1950, 1957, 1963, and 1975. The authentic bell from this track, borrowed from the Musée de la Vie wallonne in Liège, is on display.

Additionally, the jerseys of Robert Van Lancker, former two-time World Sprint Champion from Liège, are exhibited. Jean Brankart and Eddy Merckx also left their mark on the post-Tour Criteriums held at this historic track.

The Secondary Velodromes of the Province

Thanks to the collections of Guy Crasset and Jean-Pierre Ropet, visitors can explore rare and authentic items. Among these are the financial statement of the 1963 World Championships and the official approval document for the Rocourt track from 1950.

In addition, the architect’s plan for the future Thiervaux (Heusy) velodrome, built in 1933, is on display. A photograph of the Ensival velodrome, dating back to 1900, completes this historic collection.

Nearly seventy velodromes once existed in the province, located in Liège, Verviers, Spa, Tilff, Waremme, Hannut, Micheroux, and the greater Liège area. Chênée-Sauheid, Wandre, and Ans-Alleur are the last remnants of this bygone era.

The concrete track at Ans-Alleur, owned by the Province, still primarily hosts training sessions and small local competitions, preserving a tangible connection to the region’s track cycling heritage.

The Hour Record

Another section of the exhibition focuses on the history of the Hour Record. It particularly highlights Eddy Merckx’s legendary ride in 1972 in Mexico.

The display also recalls the very first officially recognized record: that of Henri Desgrange, co-creator of the Tour de France. In addition, the achievements of other champions are presented, including Roger Rivière, Ferdinand Bracke, Francesco Moser, Miguel Indurain, Tony Rominger, Graeme Obree, Chris Boardman, and Ondrej Sosenka.

The selection is completed by the attempt of Belgian rider Nico Emonds, offering visitors a comprehensive overview of the historic milestones in track cycling endurance.

The Highlight of the Exhibition: Stayers and Dernies

ontacts with the Van Bon family, facilitated by Bernard Laloux, have spectacularly enriched the exhibition. Hans van Bon, track coach and commissaire, contributed several items from the velodrome in Apeldoorn.

On display are two dernies, two stayer motorcycles, and stayer bicycles. The exhibition also features a Gazelle track bike, a youth “Eddy Merckx” track bike, and a paralympic track tandem.

These dernies and stayer motorcycles are among the rarest items in the exhibition. Only two dernies exist in the world. One of the stayer motorcycles develops more than 600 cc. Its impressive size allows visitors to climb aboard for a memorable photo opportunity.