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By Barry Boyce, CyclingRevealed Historian
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Eddy MERCKX
Belgian Eddy Merckx came to the 1971 Giro di Lombardia with tired legs after winning the Milan-San Remo, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Tour de France, AND the World Road Race Championship.
Aggressively Merckx attacked the climb of the Val d’Intelvi and went clear. Spanish climber Luis Ocana was the only one to answer the move. Over the summit the duo had a gap and began to plunge down the descent. Through the 'twists and turns' Ocana over-cooked the corner and fell heavily. Merckx still had the time gap and continued the breakaway… solo!
An inspired Belgian wearing the Rainbow-Jersey rode into the finish in Como 3 min. 31 sec. ahead of defending Lombardia champion Franco Bitossi.
Merckx'z victory made history
SPECIAL NOTE: With the 1971 Giro di Lombardia victory Eddy Merckx equaled Belgian Rik (2) Van Looy’s record of winning all 5 of cycling’s Monuments (M-SR, Flanders, P-R, LBL, and Lombardia).
| GdL October 9, 1971 |
| 266 Km, Milan-Como |
1.
Eddy MERCKX (Bel) 6h45'46" |
| 2. Franco Bitossi (Ita) +3'31" |
| 3.
Frans Verbeeck (Bel) +3'33" |
| Starters: 139 |
| Finishers: 20 |
| Average Speed: 39.127 km/h |
Lomb 1970
Lomb 1972
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