You are all quite right, originally a motobecane. And not an expensive, or at least top of the range one. Then somebody spent a fair deal of money upgrading to 8 speed and other mods I haven't shown. A lot of the decals do point to small sponsorship, my best guess would be the machine was used in local races by a kid with small bikeshop backing. I have the location of the shop, I'll look into whether anybody involved is still alive and try to get the story. Two to one it was a very poor Gitane dealer. That sort of thing is not unheard of.
Another small point: it's not a thoroughbred classic, but I like it, it's fun. So I'm going to put a pair of newish 700 / 25 tyres on and see how fast the thing rides. The brakes appear to work. Whether that is an appearance or reality you will find out soon enough: if they don't work, chances are you'll not be hearing from me again for a while, there's a very sharp corner at the end of that long straight runs past my place.
Nick Bordo, Agen, France.
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