1976 / Lejeune - BP / Roy Schuiten

Team: Lejeune - BP

Year: 1976

Rider: Roy Schuiten

The Lejeune–BP jersey from 1976 represents a fascinating moment in cycling history: the birth of a new French professional team and a fresh chapter in the career of Dutch rider Roy Schuiten.

Before joining Lejeune–BP, Schuiten had already established himself as one of the most promising time trial specialists of his generation. Riding for the powerful TI–Raleigh squad in 1974 and 1975, he developed into a versatile rider capable of winning both stage races and one-day events. His move in 1976 marked a significant transition—from a dominant, structured team to a newly formed project with ambition and international character.

Lejeune–BP itself was a brand-new French professional team, founded in 1976 and backed by bicycle manufacturer Lejeune and oil company BP. Under the direction of former Tour de France podium finisher Henri Anglade, the team combined experienced riders with emerging talents, including several Dutchmen such as Schuiten, André Gevers, and Fons van Katwijk. Despite being a young team, it quickly proved competitive at the highest level.

Schuiten became one of the central figures of the squad during that inaugural season. In 1976, he delivered a series of impressive victories, including the overall classification and two stages at the Tour Méditerranéen, as well as a stage win in the Critérium du Dauphiné and victory at the Grand Prix of Gippingen. His performances confirmed his status as one of the leading Dutch riders of the era and a key asset for the team’s early success.

The team itself enjoyed a strong debut season. Among its highlights was a stage victory in the Tour de France by Ferdinand Bracke, underlining the team’s ability to compete at Grand Tour level. Across the season, Lejeune–BP accumulated numerous wins in stage races and one-day events, finishing as a solid presence in the European peloton.

Interestingly, Lejeune–BP never participated in the Giro d’Italia or Vuelta a España during its existence, focusing primarily on the French calendar and the Tour de France. This makes jerseys like this one even more emblematic of a specific racing culture: one centered around French races, emerging international talent, and the rebuilding of teams in the mid-1970s peloton.