Hasn't everything already been said about Eddy Merckx? Yes - but not yet by everyone. This somewhat disrespectful phrase, which is often used to criticise sprawling team meetings and discussion panels, definitely doesn't apply to exactly one thing: the new book about Eddy Merckx, written by French journalist Guy Roger.
Biography with many anecdotes
This book reflects what characterises the French way of writing about (cycling) sport, including in newspapers such as L'Èquipe, for which Roger worked for many years: The feuilletonistic, literary-tinged, occasionally even novelistic preoccupation with the protagonists of the respective discipline. The ambivalence of cycling in particular is a never-ending source of inspiration: on the one hand, a stage for shining heroes who, on the other, can hardly win a bouquet of flowers without the help of faithful domestiques. On the one hand, the strategy show of sworn teams characterised by tactical finesse; on the other, the open battle of man against man.
Merckx
Many companions and contemporary witnesses have their say
Guy Roger draws deeply from this well of history and stories. Of course, he also follows the well-known milestones of Merckx's career: the first victory in the Tour de France, the doping scandal at the 1969 Giro d'Italia, the legendary and long-standing rivalry with the Spaniard Luis Ocaña, who was so different in character, and many more. But he interweaves these with many anecdotes from that great cycling era, allowing companions, team-mates and contemporary witnesses to have their say. It all adds up to a multi-faceted picture that is a pleasure to read, because it really does reveal something new about Eddy Merckx and is written in a very entertaining way. An overview of Merckx's career in keywords and graphics, a foreword by Bernard Thévenet and an epilogue by Eddy Merckx himself round off the volume. Rating: very worth reading.
Short reading sample
On 19 March, a grey Sunday in November - one day after Roger de Vlaeminck won the "Primavera" - Merckx presents himself at the start of the Omloop van het Waasland despite all his problems, which also affect his mood. He wears the back number four assigned to him. It is the first time that the glorious Eddy Merckx has taken part in this race. His presence honours the race, which for a long time was organised by the Ponderosa dance club before professionals were also allowed to take part. In a report for the Flemish cycling magazine Bahamontes, journalist Rik van Puymbroeck gives an insight into the official accounts: "Out of the total starting bonuses of 101,500 Belgian francs (2,516 euros), Mr Merckx receives a bonus of 30,000 Belgian francs (745 euros)." It's cold that day, the cobbles are slippery from the rain - a bad cobbles, with big gaps to get stuck in - and the Belgian wind promises a race in favour of the physically strong riders. Merckx's Mercedes, driven by his friend and soigneur Pierrot de Wit, is surrounded as soon as the engine is switched off. The start and finish line under the windows of the town hall is around 100 metres away, and it is a real struggle to get there. The church square is too small for the excited crowd, who are mesmerised by the presence of their idol. If only they could, people would kiss his hands and feet. José de Cauwer, a keen observer who will be competing for the TI-Raleigh racing team with start number 65 and will be the talk of the town, is stunned: "Anyone who knows him knows that he must have said to himself during this confusion: 'What am I actually doing here?"
Thomas Musch
Publisher
