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By Barry Boyce, CyclingRevealed Historian |
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The Cannibal Romps
Two time winner of the Giro d’Italia Eddy “the Cannibal” Merckx return to Italy in 1972.
Merckx’s domination began on stage 7 from Cosenza to Catanzano, when he joined defending Giro champion Gosta Pettersson on a long breakaway that gained 4’15” on his main rivals. Merckx didn’t look back.
Spanish climber Jose-Manuel Fuente attacked on every ascent but couldn’t shake a vigilant Merckx.
Eddy Merckx cruised into Milan to take the 1972 Giro d’Italia victory. Jose-Manuel Fuente finished second 5’30” behind Merckx.
Stage and Distance |
Stage Winner |
Race Leader |
Stage 1 Venezia-Mestre, 196 km |
Marino Basso (Ita) |
Marino Basso (Ita) |
Stage 2 Ravenna-Fermo, 212 km |
Gianni Motta (Ita) |
Marino Basso (Ita) |
Stage 3 Porto San Giorgio-Francavilla, 205 km |
Ugo Colombo (Ita) |
Ugo Colombo (Ita) |
Stage 4a Francavilla-Block Haus, 48 km |
Jose-Manuel Fuente (Spa) |
Jose-Manuel Fuente (Spa) |
Stage 4b Blauck Haus-Foggia, 210 km |
Wilmo Francioni (Ita) |
Jose-Manuel Fuente (Spa) |
Stage 5 Foggia-Montesano, 238 km |
Fabrizio Fabbri (Ita) |
Jose-Manuel Fuente (Spa) |
Stage 6 Montesano-Cosenza, 190 km |
Roger De Vlaeminck (Bel) |
Jose-Manuel Fuente (Spa) |
Stage 7 Cosenza-Catanzaro, 151 km |
Gosta Pettersson (Swe) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 8 Catanzaro-Reggio di Calabre, 160 km |
Attilio Benfatto (Ita) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 9 Messina-Circuito Peloritani, 110 km |
Albert Van Vlierberghe (Bel) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 10 Rome-Monte Argentario, 166 km |
Italo Zilioli (Ita) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 11 Mt Argentario-Forte d Marmi, 242 km |
Miguel-Maria Lasa (Spa) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 12 Forte dei Marmi, 40 km ITT |
1st section Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
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Stage 12 Forte dei Marmi, 40 km ITT |
2nd section Roger Swert (Bel) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 13 Forte dei Marmi-Savona, 200 km |
Wilmo Francioni (Ita) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 14 Savona-Bardonecchia, 256 km |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 15 Circuito Parabiajo, 168 km |
Roger De Vlaeminck (Bel) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 16 Parabiajo-Livigno, 256 km |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 17 Livigno-Passo Stelvio, 88 km |
Jose-Manuel Fuente (Spa) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 18 Solda-Asiago, 223 km |
Roger De Vlaeminck (Bel) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 19a Asiago-Arco, 163 km |
Roger De Vlaeminck (Bel) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 19b Circuito Arco, 18 km ITT |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Eddy Merckx (Bel) |
Stage 20 Arco-Milan, 185 km |
Enrico Paolini (Ita) |
 Eddy Merckx (Bel)
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Mountain Classification |
Jose-Manuel Fuente (Spa) |
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Points Classification |
 Roger De Vlaeminck (Bel)
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GdI May 21 - June 11, 1972 |
| 3,725 Km |
1. Eddy MERCKX (Bel) 103h04'04" |
| 2. Jose-Manuel Fuente (Spa) +5'30" |
| 3.
Francisco Galdos (Spa) +10'39" |
Starters: 100 |
| Finishers: 69 |
Average Speed: 36.120 km/h |
GdI 1973
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