The most curious cycling trophies

Thomas Huber

· 16.11.2023

Cycling trophies always attract attention due to their curiosity. In the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne one-day race, for example, the winner is presented with a plush donkey

There are also curious trophies in races at World Tour level. At the E3 Saxo Classic, the winner gets to drink from a giant beer glass

It is hardly surprising that there is cheese to be won in a Swiss race - but as a trophy, it remains curious nonetheless

Live animals are also sometimes awarded as trophies. This is the case with the Breton one-day race Tro Bro Leon

In the Artic Race of Norway, the interim leader of the mountain classification received a huge artificial fish as a trophy, while the winner of the special classification even received 500 kilograms of salmon

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Photo: Getty Velo

The award ceremony of every cycling race also includes the presentation of a trophy. There are well-known trophies such as the "trofeo senza fine" at the Giro d'Italia or the cobblestone at Paris-Roubaix. Others stand out due to their unusual design - TOUR presents the most curious cycling trophies.

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Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne

Photo: Getty VeloTiesj Benoot celebrates his victory in the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne 2023 one-day race with a plush donkey

The Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne race traditionally takes place on the so-called "Opening Weekend", which kicks off the Belgian classics season, the day after Omloop Het Nieuwsbald. Because the symbol of the town of Kuurne is a donkey, the winner of the one-day race receives a plush donkey as a trophy.

E3 Saxo Classic

Photo: Getty VeloWout van Aert won the E3 Saxo Classic 2023 one-day race and celebrated his victory with a beer from an oversized glass

The E3 Saxo Classic is part of the UCI World Tour, making it one of the most important one-day races in cycling. It gets its curious name from the E3 motorway (now the A14), which runs from Harelbeke to Antwerp. The trophy is also special: the winner receives a beer from an oversized glass.

Tour de Romandie

Photo: Getty VeloAdam Yates triumphed at the Tour de Romandie 2023 and was presented with cheese as a Swiss trophy

After his overall victory in the Tour de Romandie, this year's winner Adam Yates was presented with a curious trophy. He received a typical dish from the region: a Swiss cheese. It seems to have energised the Briton. Just a few months later, he finished third in the Tour de France.

Tro Bro Leon

Photo: DPA Picture AllianceAt the Breton race Tro Bro Leon, the best driver from the region is presented with a piglet as a trophy

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The one-day race is also known as the "Little Paris-Roubaix" due to the partly unpaved routes. As a token of appreciation for sharing the roads, the best regional rider receives a piglet from the local farmers. This year, Laurent Pichon from Arkea-Samsic received the piglet, finishing in seventh place. The victory went to Giacomo Nizzolo (Israel-Premier Tech).

>> The most famous cycling trophies

Arctic Race of Norway

Photo: DPA Picture AllianceIn 2019, Stephen Cummings was presented with a large artificial fish at the Arctic Race of Norway as the best climber

The Arctic Race of Norway takes place north of the Arctic Circle and is considered the northernmost professional cycling race of all. The best climber was awarded the salmon jersey. The interim leader in the mountain classification was not only allowed to wear this jersey, but also to pose with a large artificial fish. The overall winner of the mountain classification even received 500 kilograms of salmon as a trophy.

Amstel Gold Race

Photo: Getty VeloAmstel Gold Race 2023: Winner Tadej Pogacar (centre), Ben Healy (second place/left) and Tom Pidcock (third place/right) raise a glass of beer together

The famous one-day race is named after the Amstel beer brand. So it is not surprising that the winners of the race are allowed to toast a beer. Because one beer is not enough, the winner of the race is presented with another trophy in addition to the beer.

Bohemian Border Bash Race

Photo: Foto: Maty Podroužek

With the latest curious trophy, we move away from classic road cycling and take a look at unsupported bikepacking. The Bohemian Border Bash Race leads once around Bohemia. Both the fastest woman and the fastest man receive a wooden sword at the finish line. 2022 triathlete Max Gaumnitz won - and wrote a report about his experiences.

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