Before the 17th stage of Tour de France 1969 Eddy Merckx’s first overall victory was almost secured. He led the general classification with more than 8 minutes.
The 214, 5 km long stage between Luchon and Mourenx included the “big four” ascents of the Pyrenees: Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Aubisque.
Eddy Merckx (Faema) attacked right before the top of Tourmalet, only to collect some mountain points. A few km later he realized, that nobody went with him.
Lomme Driessens, the Directeur Sportif of Faema told him to wait for the rest of the peloton.
But Merckx decided differetly.
It was still 105 km to go. Merckx rode it solo. He finished almost 8 minutes ahead of second placed Michele Dancelli (Molteni).
More epic Tour de France moments from the Pyrenees
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