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Sporting Witness: Eddy Merckx: The Fall of 'The Cannibal'

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Eddy Merckx - The Fall of "The Cannibal"

19/07/2014

Eddy Merckx: The Fall of 'The Cannibal'

BBC World Service - Sporting Witness, Eddy Merckx: The Fall of 'The Cannibal'

In 1975, the great Tour de France rider lost the race after being punched by a spectator

In 1975, the great Tour de France rider lost the race after being punched by a spectator.

In 1975, the great Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx lost the Tour de France after being punched by a spectator during a mountain stage. The incident marked the start of the decline of a rider so dominant he was nicknamed "The Cannibal". British cyclist Barry Hoban recalls the punch and shares his personal memories of racing with Merckx.

(Photo: Eddy Merckx. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

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