Hubert Opperman’s beret

Australian cyclist Hubert Opperman competed in the Tour de France in 1928 and 1931 and wore this beret while training and racing. It became a signature piece, worn as a tribute to the generous welcome and support he received from the French people.

Oppy’s performance in 1928 at the Bol d’Or (Golden Bowl) – raced non-stop over 24 hours – galvanised his reputation. He completed just over 900 kilometres in 24 hours. When he tried to stop at the end of the race, his manager Bruce Small convinced him to continue riding to break the 1000 km record. The crowd chanted into the night, ‘Allez Oppy, Allez!’, as he rode for another 80 minutes to achieve the milestone.

Before leaving France, Oppy was voted the most popular sportsman in Europe in a readers’ poll conducted by the sports paper ‘L’Auto’. He arrived back in Australia sporting a new beret, a tribute to the generous welcome and support he had received from the French people.