Gitane

Gitane is a French bicycle manufacturer whose manufacturing facilities are now in Romilly- sur -Seine. The brand name " Gitane " means gypsy woman. In particular, between the 1960s and 1980s, the brand Gitane was strongly tied to the French professional cycling. During this time the company drivers like Jacques Anquetil (1963-1965), Lucien van Impe (1974-1976), Bernard Hinault (1975-1983), Laurent Fignon (1982-1988) and Greg LeMond (1981-1984) fitted out. Today the brand Gitane heard about the Cycleurope SAS for Grimaldi Group.

Company History

The origins of Gitane can already be found in the year 1925, when Marcel Brunelière opened a blacksmith for tools and agricultural needs in Machecoul not far from Nantes in the Loire -Atlantique. In his forge, he began gradually to produce bicycle parts. In 1926 he opened a workshop for assembling bicycles for GMB and Marbru.

Brunelière began in 1930 at, first bicycles to assemble itself and so chose the brand Gitane. In the 1950s, the product range has been expanded light weight bikes. The company name was changed in 1960 in Micmo, but the brand name Gitane continued to be used for the bicycles of the company. In 1974, the French automobile manufacturer Renault acquired one-third of the shares of Micmo to completely take over the company in 1976.

In 1985 Micmo was eventually sold by Renault again. The company was finally incorporated in 1992 in collaboration with Peugeot and Spanish bicycle manufacturer in the BH group Cycleurope to withstand market pressures, especially from Asia. Finally, Cycle Europe became part of the Grimaldi Group.

Sponsorship

The first professional cyclists were equipped by Gitane in 1948. From 1953 to 1955, the company Jean Stablinski endowed. 1960 were supported Rapha - Gitane - Dunlop and Rudi Altig. 1963 and 1964 was Jacques Anquetil to win the Tour de France on Gitane.

In the 1970s, Renault sponsored his own team and also provided this with the company belonging to the brand Gitane. Among other things, Lucien Van Impe, Bernard Hinault, Laurent Fignon and Greg Lemond rode on Gitane: They all won the Tour de France.

Gitane upgraded further the Système U team, led by Laurent Fignon, RMO, led by Charly Mottet and Toshiba, led by Jean -François Bernard, from.

In the 1990s, the brand Gitane was also active as a sponsor in the range mountain bike.

After several years of absence Gitane returned as a sponsor in the professional cycling and supported the teams La Française des Jeux ( cycling team ) and Big Mat- Auber 93 In 2010, the Gitane team Saur - Sojasun the new model Definitive Gitane "The One " ISP. Gitane frame and wheels are sold exclusively in Europe. The aluminum and steel frames are still produced in the founding city Machecoul and Cycleurope plant in Romilly- sur -Seine. The frame consists of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, however, be manufactured in Asia.

Palmarčs

Gitane heard next Pinarello, Peugeot, and Trek Bicycle Corporation of the most successful brands in the Tour de France. Overall, the Tour de France was won nine times on a road bike the company Gitane. In addition, three world championship titles in the road race and three hours world records have been retracted as significant achievements in Gitane.

• Tour de France 1963, 1964 ( Jacques Anquetil ), 1976 ( Lucien Van Impe ), 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 ( Bernard Hinault ), 1983, 1984 ( Laurent Fignon )

• World cup 1958 ( Elsy Jacobs ), 1980 ( Bernard Hinault ), 1983 ( Greg LeMond )

• Hour record 1957, 1959 Roger Rivière, 1958 Elsy Jacobs