Merckx: “ I don't know. My computer is broken and I am too lazy to get another one. But it will not be faster. I was 78 pertang still good. The difference with two years ago is large. Then I could easily do my kilometers by bike. But in March last year I had an operation on my gut, then that hip, I got a serious knock. Also because the prosthesis is not at first caught had. When I went to the toilet ’ at night, I had to hold on to the pain, as if I was going to sink through my legs. But the doctors didn't want to believe me. I really waived three months and twelve days. On March 22 they operated on me again. Only when I woke up on the 23rd could I support something on my legs again. And furthermore, my pelvis and my back, that has been much longer, hey. Since Blois ( in September 1969 Eddy Merckx fell heavily on the slopes, ed. ). I have said it many times before: after Blois they have never seen Eddy Merckx climb again as before. ”

The Vlaeminck: “ Hear him. I have often seen him drive. Every time it was ‘ Salut ’ and he was gone. Eddy never argues about his own, but because he turns eighty, I will say it for the readers of the Nieuwsblad. It may be a hundred, a thousand years of course, someone like Eddy, you will never have that again. I'm proud to have been able to ride Eddy all these years. ”
However, your first meeting was reportedly not so cordial.

The Vlaeminck: “ In the Tour of Belgium, 1968. Near Brussels. Eddy had been a pro for a long time, he will have won ten classics or it will not make much difference. I only turned pro in ’ 69. Soixante-neuf. In ’ 68 I was in the lead in the Tour of Belgium with the amateurs. He had come to the finish with his entire team. If I didn't want to join him in the team, he asked. Remember, Eddy, what I said: ‘ Eddy, I'm never going to drive for you. I'm going to drive against you. ’ ( laughter ) Actually dare of myself, against Mr. Merckx. But I meant that. ”

Merckx: “ And he was right. Lucien Acou, my father-in-law ( and technical director at the cycling union, ed. ), had pointed me to him. Roger stood out with the enthusiasts. The crosseur, we said. On its Brussels. But he came over and the crosseur immediately won the Omloop Het Volk. ”

Roger, for our young readers, can you just say how good Eddy Merckx was?
The Vlaeminck: “ You can't explain that if you've never driven it, dude. I once drove the Omloop Het Volk with him ( in 1973, ed. ). We were two ahead. Eddy was quick, but so was I. But Eddy drove so fast that day ... ”