Eddy Merckx: The Cannibal (45 page)

Merckx leads Roger De Vlaeminck, Walter Godefroot and, only just in shot on the left, Freddy Maertens, on his way to the last of his seven Milan–San Remo victories.

Still in the yellow jersey, but is Merckx praying for a miracle in the 1975 Tour?

Did Merckx’s hopes of a sixth Tour win in 1975 disappear when a spectator punched him on the Puy de Dôme? Is that already his fear here, within minutes of the fateful blow?

Moments before Bernard Thévenet passes and leaves Merckx for dead on the climb to Pra-Loup in the 1975 Tour de France. He would be the first man to defeat the Cannibal in the Tour.

The anguish of Merckx’s capitulation en route to Alpe d’Huez in the 1977 Tour de France is vividly captured in this picture taken seconds after he has crossed the line.

acknowledgements

Much like many of Eddy Merckx’s victories, this book has been a collaborative effort, facilitated and infinitely improved by a team, nay an entire peloton of loyal domestiques.

In the Lomme Driessens role, but definitely not his mould, Andrew Goodfellow and Liz Marvin at Ebury Press should receive my eternal thanks for their faith in the project and their patience, as should Justine Taylor for her editing. My literary agent, the inimitable David ‘The Deal’ Luxton, may be no Jean van Buggenhout, but is just as adept at dealing with a sometimes fragile and difficult client. I am also sincerely grateful to him.

Dozens of fellow journalists in the UK and abroad, the cherished colleagues of a decade covering cycle races, have contributed to this book, be it with help arranging interviews or simply advice. In Belgium, I would especially like to thank Jan Pieter de Vlieger and Bert Heyvaert, both mates and lieutenants de luxe, as well as Walter Pauli, Hugo Coorevits, Marc Ghyselinck, Joeri de Knop, Walter Pauli, Eric De Falleur, Philippe Van Holle and Sven Spoormakers. Charlotte Elton’s humour and translations have also been hugely appreciated.

In Italy, Ciro Scognamiglio, Luigi Perna and Pier Augusto Stagi have proven to be formidable
gregari
, and Herbie Sykes a kind supplier of books and press cuttings. Pierre Carrey, in France, was extremely generous in providing research materials. Be it for help directly relating to this book, or over the last ten years culminating in this project, I would also like to say thank you to dear fellow hacks or photographers overseas Andy Hood, Leon De Kort,
Gregor
Brown-Burgundy, Pier Maulini, Gary Boulanger and Bonnie Ford in particular – providers of quotes, beds for the odd night and emergency supplies of Haribo sweets.

If I am still writing about cycling, it is in large part thanks to (or the fault of) friends and former colleagues at
Procycling
, Pete Cossins, Ellis Bacon, Paul Godfrey, James Poole and especially Jeremy Whittle. Now instead of workmates I have…Richard Moore, a one-man reservoir of piss-taking, irritation and occasionally great friendship, ego-massaging and advice. Rich, seriously, thanks.

I would also like to thank my dear mum and dad, to whom this book is dedicated, and my sister and brother-in-law Maria and Rob Sellers for their unstinting support and generosity/hospitality. My darling girlfriend, Kate Clarence, has been a paragon of serenity, grace and love throughout the hectic months I have devoted to this book, as she always is. Kate, thank you.

My gratitude should go, finally, to the people who agreed to be interviewed. Take a bow, Vittorio Adorni, Felice Gimondi, Freddy Maertens, Claude Lair, Rini Wagtmans, Giancarlo Ferretti, Philippe Crépel, Barry Hoban, Raymond Poulidor, Shelley Verses, Bernard Thévenet, Johny Schleck, Dino Zandegù, Joseph Bruyère, Marino Vigna, Gianpaolo Ormezzano, Alfredo Martini, Raymond Riotte, Davide Boifava, Chris Boardman, Christian Raymond, Italo Zilioli, Roger De Vlaeminck, Walter Godefroot, Martin Van Den Bossche, Walter Pauli, Patrick Sercu, Jan Janssen, Franco Bitossi, Hugo Coorevits, Philippe Brunel, Gaston Plaud, Herman Van Springel, Gianni Motta, Mark Uyttehoeven, Paul Van Himst, Gianbattista Baronchelli, Hennie Kuiper, David Lloyd, Michel Audran, Helge Riepenhof, Giancarlo Lavezzaro, Rik Van Looy (for two minutes) and finally, Eddy Merckx.

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