Gitane

Gitane, based in Machecoul (near Nantes, France), is a French manufacturer of bicycles; the name "Gitane" means gypsy woman. The brand was synonymous with French bicycle racing from the 1960s through the mid-1980s, sponsoring riders such as Jacques Anquetil (1963-1965), Lucien van Impe (194-1976), Bernard Hinault (1975-1983), Laurent Fignon (1982-1983, 1988), and Greg LeMond (1981-1983).

History

Gitane cycles have their roots in 1925, when Marcel Brunelière opened a smithy and agricultural repair works at Machecoul in the Loire-Atlantique region of France. He began making parts for bicycles and the following year opened a further workshop to assemble bicycles for G.M.B and Marbru. Brunelière began making his own bicycles in 1930, choosing the name Gitane (gypsy woman). He added light motorcycles in the 1950s. The name changed to Micmo in 1960 but continued to sell Gitane bicycles. Nearly a third of Micmo was owned by Renault, the car-maker, which had acquired 30 per cent of the shares in 1974. In 1976 it bought the rest.

The arrival of a new director-general at the head of Renault in 1985, Georges Besse, led the company to sell Micmo to raise capital. Micmo continued and then in 1992 joined Peugeot and the Spanish company, BH, to form the Cycleurope group to compete with growing competition from Asia.

Sponsorship

Gitane sponsored its first professionals in 1948. From 1953 to 1955 it equipped Jean Stablinski. In 1960 it helped back Rapha-Gitane-Dunlop and Rudi Altig. In 1963 and 1964, Gitane bicycles won the Tour de France [http://www.letour.fr/2007/TDF/COURSE/docs/HST_stat_fr.pdf] , ridden by Jacques Anquetil, and again in 1966 with Lucien Aimar.

Renault sponsored a professional team in the 1970s and, since it owned Micmo, the company behind Gitane, made Gitane the co-sponsor. Riders on Gitanes included Lucien Van Impe, Bernard Hinault, Laurent Fignon and Greg Lemond, all winners of the Tour de France.

Gitane then sponsored the Système U team led by Laurent Fignon, and RMO led by Charly Mottet.

Gitane sponsored mountain-bike teams in the 1990s.

Gitane returned to road cycling after several years' absence, backing La Française des Jeux and BigMat-Auber. It no longer sponsors professionals, although it does equip the postmen of France with delivery bikes.

Palmarès

* Tour de France
** 1963, 1964 (Jacques Anquetil), 1966 (Aimar), 1976 (Lucien Van Impe), 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 (Bernard Hinault), 1983, 1984 (Laurent Fignon)
* World championshipflagiconUCI
** 1980 (Bernard Hinault), 1983 (Greg LeMond)
* Hour record
** Roger Rivière, Elsy Jacobs

References

External links

* [http://www.gitane.com/ Gitane Bicycles (France)]
* [http://www.gitaneusa.com/ Gitane USA]
* [http://www.classicrendezvous.com/France/Gitane.htm Classic Rendezvous: Gitane]
* [http://www.mybyk.com/ebykr/blog/gitane_the_dark-eyed_wanderer Gitane: The Dark-Eyed Wanderer] on [http://www.mybyk.com/ MyByk]