I'm afraid both Merckx and Maertens have a tendency to let ego distort their memory on a number of matters. This is only the most famous example.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
greenjersey@ntlworld.com wrote: Jerry writes:- I think I had a pair of Dura Ace sidepulls in 1973, the year I bought my LeJeune F-70 new. I switched out the Mafac CP's for Dura Ace, requiring a rear drop bolt. I believe I made the changeout at initial purchase, but I can't be certain this didn't happen a few months later, maybe even 1974, the year I also attended the Montreal world's that Eddy won. Note however, these were actually the SECOND generation Dura Ace brakeses:- This brings to mind the scandal of Barcelona in 1973. We will never know the truth but approaching the finish first year pro Freddy Maertens was on Shimano and Merckx, Gimondi and Ocana were on Campag. Maertens insists that Merckx knew he couldn't win so he was happy for Gimondi to take the rainbow jersey rather than his team mate equipped with Shimano. Maertens isn't a very reliable witness as he has written that Ocana had Zeus kit which is surely wrong. Ray green, Brighton, England
-----------------------------------------
Email sent from http://www.ntlworld.com