Return of Merckx-Godefroot in 1969
After skipping Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 1968 Eddy Merckx returned to battle with 1967 L-B-L winner Walter Godefroot in 1969.
On the transition from the Cote de Wanne to the Cote de Stockeu Merckx drove the frantic pace. Merckx and his Faema teammate Victor van Schil attacked an already stretched peloton and flew over the tough climb of the Stockeu. Godefroot and the remainder of the peloton fell off the pace.
Team Faema blasts the breakawy group on the climb of the Stockeu for Merckx!
Over the final 100+ kms the lead duo rode steadily away from an elite chase group led by Godefroot and British star Barry Hoban. Merckx crossed the finish line eight mintues ahead of third place Barry Hoban to gain his first L-B-L vicotry.
Merckx first, teammate Van Schil second
L-B-L April 22, 1969 |
253 Km |
1 .Eddy MERCKX (Bel) 6h50'00" |
2. Victor van Schil (Bel) |
3. Barry Hoban (GBr) +8'05" |
Starters: 127 |
Finishers: 30 |
Average Speed: 37.022 km/h |
L-B-L 1968
L-B-L 1970
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