Sporting Witness
Sporting Witness
Eddy Merckx - Tour De France Legend
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July 22, 2017
9 minutes
Available for over a year
In 1975, the great Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx lost the Tour de France after being punched by a spectator during a mountain stage. The incident marked the start of the decline of a rider so dominant he was nicknamed "The Cannibal". British cyclist Barry Hoban recalls the punch and shares his personal memories of racing with Merckx. The programme was first broadcast in 2014.
(Photo: Eddy Merckx. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)