Eddy Merckx’s Resilient 1975: A Year of Triumphs and Trials. How it all Went down to the crash

The 1975 season was a defining one for Eddy Merckx, showcasing both his legendary dominance and the brutal reality of professional cycling. As the reigning champion, Merckx entered the year with high expectations, but it would prove to be one of his most grueling campaigns, marked by victories, fierce rivalries, and an unfortunate crash that shaped the latter part of his career.

Merckx started the year strong, winning Milan-San Remo for a record seventh time, cementing his status as the “Cannibal.” He then went on to claim victory at the Tour of Flanders, adding another monument to his illustrious career. However, his biggest challenge awaited him in the Tour de France, where he sought a record sixth victory.

The 1975 Tour was a battle of attrition. Bernard Thévenet, a rising French star, emerged as Merckx’s fiercest competitor. Despite Merckx’s relentless attacks, Thévenet countered effectively. Then came the pivotal moment—a spectator punched Merckx in the kidney during the Puy de Dôme stage, an incident that left him in pain but determined to fight on.

Despite his injuries, Merckx continued to push, but the damage took its toll. Thévenet eventually took the yellow jersey, and for the first time since 1969, Merckx was defeated in the Tour. The exhaustion and pain carried into the latter part of the season, but Merckx refused to give in.

However, the defining blow came in the fall during the Blois Criterium in France. A horrific crash left him with a fractured cheekbone and lingering injuries that would plague the rest of his career. Though he returned to racing, he was never quite the same. The resilience he displayed throughout 1975 defined his legacy—not just as the greatest cyclist of his era, but as a fighter who never backed down, even when faced with adversity.