4 July 1969 Eddy Merckx’s first ever Tour de France stage victory

It was the 133 km long 6th stage from Mulhouse to the Ballon d’Alsace at the Tour de France 1969, when Eddy Merckx celebrated his first Tour de France stage victory.

Although Merckx was a Tour de France debutant in 1969, the peloton already knew him very well. He already won the Giro d’Italia (1968) and several one-day classics (including 4 of the 5 monuments).