Jean-Pierre Monseré
Encyclopedia
Jean-Pierre "Jempi" Monseré (8 September 1948, Roeselare
, West Flanders - 15 March 1971, Sint-Pieters-Lille, Belgium) was a Belgian
road racing cyclist who died while champion of the world.
Monseré was a talented amateur who turned professional for Flandria
in 1969. He won the Giro di Lombardia that year. A year later he became the Belgian track omnium champion and on 16 August 1970 he won the world championship in Leicester
, England
. He was the second-youngest world champion after another Belgian, Karel Kaers
. In 1971 he again became Belgian champion, this time track madison.
On 15 March 1971, Monseré was riding the Grote Jaarmarktprijs in Retie
. On the road from Lille
to Gierle
he collided with a car driven on the course and died on the spot. A monument now stands at the spot. In a cruel twist of fate, in 1976 Monseré's seven-year-old son, Giovanni, died after a collision with a car, while riding his racing bike, given to him on his first communion
by another world champion, Freddy Maertens
.
Jean-Pierre Monseré is remembered each September with a memorial cycle trophy, the Grote Herdenkingsprijs Monseré, organized by the Retiese Wielerclub 'De Zonnestraal'. Jempi Monseré's medals are in the Belgian national cycle museum in Roeselare
.
1969
1970
1971
Roeselare
Roeselare is a Belgian city and municipality in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Roeselare proper and the towns of Beveren, Oekene and Rumbeke....
, West Flanders - 15 March 1971, Sint-Pieters-Lille, Belgium) was a Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
road racing cyclist who died while champion of the world.
Monseré was a talented amateur who turned professional for Flandria
Flandria
Flandria may refer to a number of things.*Club Social y Deportivo Flandria, an Argentinian football team a Dutch merchant ship*Heinrich Isaac a 15th Century composer, known as "Ugonis de Flandria"*Flandria , cycling team active 1957–1979...
in 1969. He won the Giro di Lombardia that year. A year later he became the Belgian track omnium champion and on 16 August 1970 he won the world championship in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He was the second-youngest world champion after another Belgian, Karel Kaers
Karel Kaers
Karel Kaers, born in Vosselaar, Belgium, 3 June 1914 – died Antwerp, 20 December 1972 was a professional cyclist with 30 wins. In 1934 he became the youngest world road champion, winning in Leipzig at 20. It was the first time he had ridden the race...
. In 1971 he again became Belgian champion, this time track madison.
On 15 March 1971, Monseré was riding the Grote Jaarmarktprijs in Retie
Retie
Retie is a municipality located in the Campine region of the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Retie proper. On 1 January 2006 Retie had a total population of 10,321...
. On the road from Lille
Lille, Belgium
Lille is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the towns of Gierle, Lille proper, Poederlee and Wechelderzande. On January 1, 2006 Lille had a total population of 15,509. The total area is 59.40 km² which gives a population density of 261 inhabitants...
to Gierle
Gierle
Gierle is a village of about 4,200 inhabitants in the province of Antwerp in Flanders, Belgium. It is part of the municipality of Lille.Characterised by its 19th-century village center,which has an unusual circular shape, it is more known for its recreation park called "De Lilse Bergen" and its...
he collided with a car driven on the course and died on the spot. A monument now stands at the spot. In a cruel twist of fate, in 1976 Monseré's seven-year-old son, Giovanni, died after a collision with a car, while riding his racing bike, given to him on his first communion
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
by another world champion, Freddy Maertens
Freddy Maertens
Freddy Maertens is a Belgian former professional racing cyclist and twice World Road Race Champion.- Career :...
.
Jean-Pierre Monseré is remembered each September with a memorial cycle trophy, the Grote Herdenkingsprijs Monseré, organized by the Retiese Wielerclub 'De Zonnestraal'. Jempi Monseré's medals are in the Belgian national cycle museum in Roeselare
Roeselare
Roeselare is a Belgian city and municipality in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Roeselare proper and the towns of Beveren, Oekene and Rumbeke....
.
Palmares
1968- national road race for militaries
- 1968 Olympic GamesCycling at the 1968 Summer OlympicsThe cycling competition at the 1968 Summer Olympics consisted of two road cycling events and five track cycling events, all for men only.-Medal table:-Medal summary:...
: 6th place
1969
- Giro di Lombardia
1970
-
World Road Race Championships - Six Days of GhentSix Days of GhentThe Six Days of Ghent is a six-day track cycling race held annually in Ghent, Belgium.It takes place in the Kuipke velodrome in Ghent's Citadelpark.The 2006 event from 21 November to 26 November was marred by the death of one of the riders...
(with Patrick SercuPatrick SercuPatrick Sercu is a former Belgian cyclist, best known for his exploits on the tracks.In 1964 aged 19 he competed as the star attraction at the Manchester Wheelers' Club Race Meet at the Fallowfield track in Manchester.He won a gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.Sercu is the record...
)
1971
- Vuelta a AndalucíaVuelta a AndalucíaThe Vuelta a Andalucía or Ruta del Sol is a regional Spanish road bicycle race. Since 2005, it has been a 2.1 category race on the UCI Europe Tour....
See also
- Curse of the Rainbow Jersey
- List of professional cyclists who died during a race
External links
- Biographical information at Cycling Hall of Fame