Wout Van Aert, who won the Strade Bianche on Saturday, asked Soinier and his mechanics not to wash his sweat and dirt covered Jumbo Visma jersey and Bianchi bike.

"Over the years I became a collector of special cycling jerseys. I think those mementos are much more beautiful than the trophies you get on the podium. Later on, I'm going to create a private museum where I collect them all," Van Aert said, according to Het Nieuwsblad (opens in new tab).

"I keep the original jerseys with race numbers from my three cyclocross world titles, including the one with mud on it. I also have next to me the skinsuit I wore when I won a stage at the Tour last year."

VanArt now has more room for his Strade Bianche memorabilia and hopes to keep everything from his victory on the dirt roads of Tuscany.

"I want to remember as many special victories as possible. My bike and jersey are essentials, and I want to keep my helmet, shoes, and socks. I'd rather keep a lot now than throw it away and regret it," he explained.

"My Strade Bianche bike is definitely a unique item now. I went back to look at it again the evening after the race and it was still covered in dust. The team mechanics will do something about it. It will be on the wall, just like the bike I rode when I became world cyclocross champion."

Van Aert rode a Bianchi Oltre XR4 in a classic celeste color, opting for caliper brakes while many of his rivals used disc brakes.

Riders often collect the most important jerseys, and some create personal museums of bikes and trophies as a permanent reminder of their careers.

German sprinter Eric Zabel, like Fabian Cancellara and Alberto Contador, has filled his second home with his memorabilia.