{"id":3187,"date":"2021-02-26T11:53:50","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T11:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vintagefiets.be\/?p=3187"},"modified":"2023-07-25T10:51:59","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T10:51:59","slug":"gazelle-racefietsen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vintagefiets.be\/en\/gazelle-racefietsen\/","title":{"rendered":"Gazelle racing bicycles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gazelle racing bikes are a household name in the Netherlands, where numerous professional cycling teams have also ridden. Especially the top model, the Gazelle Champion Mondial, which was born in 1969 after the world title of Harm Ottenbros on a Gazelle bicycle and with which Hennie Kuiper, among others, became famous, has become a sought-after collector's item.<\/p>\n

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Hennie Kuiper with his Gazelle Champion Mondial in 1975<\/p><\/div>\n

Short history of Gazelle bicycles<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The history of Gazelle bicycles goes back to 1892 when Willem K\u00f6lling imports a bicycle from England and sells it in his newly opened bicycle shop. Because business is going well, he enters into a partnership with Rudolf Arentsen, a dealer in stoves, fireplaces and iron.<\/p>\n

Together they founded the company K\u00f6lling and Arentsen and a few years later, in 1902, they buy a business site in Dieren<\/a> where they will carry out their activities from now on. The brand name Gazelle is immediately introduced. Over the years, many bicycles have left the factory and the range is even expanded with motorcycles. In 1915, the 1st Gazelle racing bicycles also come onto the market: the Gazelle Tour De France and Gazelle road race n. 1.<\/p>\n

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Gazelle racing bicycle from 1915<\/p><\/div>\n

The first sponsoring<\/strong><\/h2>\n

From 1965, Gazelle started to make a serious commitment to the racing bicycle market. The first models are simply called Gazelle racing bikes and the frames are divided into racing bike frames or super racing bike frames. As components you can choose from Stronglight, Simplex, Campagnolo and even Zeus. Shimano is not yet available at that time.<\/p>\n

\"Gazelle<\/a>

Advertisement from 1965 for Gazelle racing bicycles<\/p><\/div>\n

In 1965, sponsoring of a professional cycling team led by professional cyclist Piet Van Est was also started. The first sponsorship is still very modest and it is only when the cigar manufacturer Willem II joins as a co-sponsor that the first victories arive.<\/p>\n

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the 1969 world champion Harm Ottenbros in 1967 with Willem II \u2013 Gazelle \u2013 photo courtesy of Jack Claassen<\/p><\/div>\n

In 1967 none other than Rik Van Looy was recruited, who remained there until the end of his career as a professional cyclist in 1970.<\/p>\n

The sponsorship of professional cycling teams lasts until 1999, a period of more than 30 years in which many well-known riders pass by and many successes are achieved, including two world titles: in 1969 with Harm Ottenbros and in 1975 with Hennie Kuiper. It is in response to these titles that the Gazelle Champion Mondial is launched, the most successful Gazelle bicycle to date.<\/p>\n

\"Gazelle<\/a><\/p>\n

An overview of all teams that rode a Gazelle racing bike between 1965 and 1999 can be found at the following link of the website www.dewielersite.net<\/a><\/p>\n

The most famous models<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As mentioned above, the Gazelle Mondial Champion is the most popular model. This frame is available in many variations such as:<\/p>\n