1963 / St. Raphaël / Jo de Roo
Year: 1963
Team: St. Raphaël
Rider: Jo de Roo
The 1963 cycling season belonged to an era when professional riders were still seen as hard men of the road, racing endlessly from February into late autumn on rough roads, often under primitive conditions by modern standards. Jacques Anquetil dominated the grand tours with his effortless elegance, winning yet another Tour de France, while Rik Van Looy remained the feared ruler of the classics. At the same time, cycling was becoming increasingly international. Television coverage slowly expanded the sport’s popularity beyond roadside crowds, and major sponsors recognized the publicity value of a successful cycling team.
One of the defining teams of this period was St. Raphaël, the famous French squad sponsored by the quinine-based aperitif brand that had already become deeply intertwined with cycling culture. The team represented professionalism, prestige and French sporting pride. St. Raphaël had built a formidable reputation during the late 1950s and early 1960s by attracting elite riders and dominating major races across Europe. In 1963, the team once again enjoyed success through Jacques Anquetil’s Tour de France victory and strong performances throughout the European calendar.
Among the riders wearing the St. Raphaël jersey that year was Dutchman Jo de Roo, one of the Netherlands’ finest classics specialists of the era. De Roo had already made a name for himself with his toughness and tactical intelligence in long one-day races. In 1962 he achieved one of the greatest victories in Dutch cycling history by winning both Milan–San Remo and the Tour of Flanders — a remarkable double that established him internationally. Riding for a major French team in 1963 further confirmed his status among Europe’s elite riders.
Jo de Roo was also known as a stylish and intelligent rider who adapted well to the demanding French racing culture. His presence within St. Raphaël highlighted how cycling was slowly becoming less nationally divided and more international in character. Today, a St. Raphaël jersey connected to Jo de Roo represents not only a golden era of French-sponsored cycling, but also the rise of Dutch riders onto the biggest stage in European professional racing.