Description

‘It is impossible to win everything he has won’ – Tadej Pogacar

‘Merckx … is in a class by himself’ – Jacques Anquetil

A UNIQUE ACCOUNT OF MERCKX’S DOMINANCE OF CYCLING, WITH PREVIOUSLY UNTOLD ANECDOTES AND MEMORIES.

WITH AN AFTERWORD BY EDDY MERCKX.

For over 50 years, Eddy Merckx has reigned supreme as the greatest cyclist of all time, winning every bike race going: Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, La Vuelta, The Monuments, World Championships and the Hour Record. With Tadej Pogacar’s recent exploits inviting comparison with the man they called the ‘Cannibal’, this book looks back at Merckx’s incredible lifetime of racing, and of his insatiable appetite for victory which won him over 500 races.

Former L’Equipe journalist Guy Roger has traversed Europe to talk to the officials and journalists who were there, to interview Merckx’s former adversaries and teammates, and to reveal their accounts of racing with and against him.

Filled with anecdotes and previously untold memories, the book also looks back at the surreal Merckx years through the eyes of some of his greatest admirers such as Ned Boulting, Carlton Kirby, Nige Tassell, Andy McGrath and Phil Cavell. Eddy Merckx himself looks back at his life in a moving afterword, making this the ultimate celebration of a truly fascinating man.

Publisher Review

It’s the sheer quality, depth and breadth of his wins that sets him apart * Cyclist magazine * Eddy Merckx … is the greatest cyclist to have ever lived and it is unlikely that in this age of specialism the Belgian will ever be matched. * The Telegraph * Masterful book — Andy McGrath, author of ‘Tadej Pogacar: Unstoppable’ Merckx is simply one of the greatest athletes that has ever lived. — Phil Cavell, author of ‘The Midlife Cyclist’ An original book through his opponents’ testimonials * Le Cycle * Roger explains why and how the Belgian champion will remain the greatest cyclist of all time * Planete Cyclisme * The author puts the Belgian’s most beautiful wins in perspective by looking at his opponents * L’Est Republicain * The author places the Cannibal’s 525 victories within the context of a romantic era of cycling which he dominated for more than a decade. With Guy Roger’s expertise, this is a narrative full of life and anecdotes told by Merckx’s own rivals * L’Equipe *