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By Barry Boyce
Cycling Historian
Contributions from:
By Graham Jones
Cycling Historian
By Eddy O'Rourke
Cycling Historian
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Eddy Merckx vs Rik Van Looy: “New Superstar vs Old Superstar 1965 Solo-Superia Team”
INicknamed the King of the Classics or Emperor of Herentals (after his hometown of Herentals in Flanders), Rik Van Looy dominated the Classics racing in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
The 1964 amateur World Road Race Champion, Eddy Merckx, turned pro for Solo-Superia halfway through 1965. He earned his first professional victory in the Solo-Superia red jersey.
| Rik Van Looy victories: |
Eddy Merckx victories: |
TdF: GJ 1963, 7 stage wins
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TdF: GC 5 times, GJ 3 times, KoM twice, 34 stage wins.
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Giro: KoM 1960, 12 stage wins
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Giro: GC 5 times, PtJ twice, KoM once, 24 stage wins.
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VaE: PtJ 1959, 1965, 18 stage wins
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VaE: GC 1973, PtJ 1973, 6 stage wins.
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WCRR 1960, 1961
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WCRR 1967, 1971, 1974
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Milan-San Remo 1958
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Milan-San Remo 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976
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Tour of Flanders 1959, 1962
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Paris-Roubaix 1968, 1970, 1973
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Paris-Roubaix 1961, 1962, 1965
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Tour of Flanders 1969, 1975
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Liège-Bastogne-Liège 1961
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Liège-Bastogne-Liège 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975
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Giro di Lombardia 1959
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Giro di Lombardia 1971, 1972
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Hour Record 1972
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(R) Eddy Merckx, (L) Rik Van Looy
SPECIAL NOTE: Van Looy later became known for creating cycling’s first “sprint (leadout) train”, known as the Red Guard.
A feisty Emperor was known for his sporting rivalry spread over many of cycling’s greatest legends. Early in his racing career he battled to establish himself against Rik 1 Van Steenbergen. In the process Rik 2 took the crown away and became to “King of the Classics.”
In 1965 as the established head of Solo-Superia he began a new feud and started to butt heads with a young upstart named Eddy Merckx. The world began to sense a “changing of the guard” in cycling.
Under Van Looy's hold, there would be no room for another leader at Solo. However, in his first professional season (1965), the young Merckx outrode an angry veteran Van Looy at Paris-Luxembourg. This performance fueled the flames and intensified the friction at Solo-Superia.
The developing feud between the two Belgian superstars prompted Merckx’s transfer to the Peugeot-BP-Michelin cycling team the following season. Solo’s loss…?
The friction between the two Belgian superstars remained for years.
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