To try to understand what happened between Merckx and Maertens I have read several books on Merckx, as well as Freddy Maertens book "Fall from Grace" as well as watched the video of the finish of 1973 Worlds a hundred times, and I sent a letter with my opinions on this incident to Cyclingnews.com that was published and can be read at this link.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/
Brian (still freezing to death in the Great White North) Booth
Toronto, Ontario, Canada