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Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
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- emmea90
- Consulente tattico Continental Tour
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Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
Contest #4 it's again a Grand Tour, this time will be fully dedicated to the GOAT (after Mathieu Van der Poel, of course )
Constraints
Please all use Tour de France 2019 2d style
Contest #4 it's again a Grand Tour, this time will be fully dedicated to the GOAT (after Mathieu Van der Poel, of course )
Constraints
- You have to draw an European Grand Tour, you can choose the zones you want but must include Belgium, Italy and France plus a country at your choice. You must do at least 5 stages in each of those countries
- At least 18 finishes must present the same finish (finish line positions / last climb if was a mountain stage / same finish if it was a classic) of a Merckx victory
- You must include at least 2 finishes from a Giro d'Italia victory and 2 finishes from a Tour de France victory plus a finish from one of the four World Championships victories (that includes at least 3 laps of the World Circuit in the stage - remember, we have all the World Championships circuits in our archive: maps/races?calendar%5B0%5D=8&years=all)
- For the classics:
- Remember that Sanremo at that time had Poggio but not Cipressa
- Paris-Roubaix doesn't have Carrefour de l'Arbre at that time
- Ronde 1969 and 1975 ended in Ninove with Muur and Bosberg, you can have an idea from 2011 route about the final: maps/viewtrack/180188
- Lbl 1969 ended in Rocourt velodrom and doesn't have the redoute you can find the route there: https://lasterketaburua.wordpress.com/2 ... -proposal/
- Giro di Lombardia in 70s ended often in Como after San Fedele d'Intelvi climb and San Fermo della battaglia: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/imag ... qD3PJ6xrth
- Transfers between stages should be realistic
- Tour should be fitted to riders with Merckx Characteristic, so ITT must be balanced with mtf
- Grand Tour MUST be drawn with 1970s rules
- Route will last 23 days. Up to you if you want to insert rest days, you can also not do it
- You must insert half-stages from a minimum of 4 (one day = 2 or 3 half stages) and a maximum of 10 (five days) half stages.
- You can insert only a day divided in 3 half-stages and you can't insert a day divided in more than 3 half-stages.
- Stage limit is still 240Km, you can go up with one stage until a maximum of 330 km and not 260 as it's now (remember, if you split a stage in half stages, the limit is the sum of daily kms)
- Route must start with a prologue, can be also a TTT prologue
- There must be at least 3 ITTs and one TTT or four ITTs. Usually ITTs at that time were short half-stages when TDF visited big cities. I suggest to have a look at the routes of TDF won by Merckx
- As tour tool doesn't support rest days and half-stages, please specify them in the description and/or in presentation
Please all use Tour de France 2019 2d style
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- jibvalverde
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
emmea90 wrote: ↑12/07/2019, 16:33
- emmea90
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
I confirm: in 1973 they did Mont Blanc tunnel, then San Carlo. Source: https://www.ilfoglio.it/sport/2017/03/2 ... kx-126258/jibvalverde wrote: ↑12/07/2019, 16:44Never a race will pass by a so long tunnel, is it ? It's not a problem if not counted. Gran Piermonte is my 18th "Merckx arrival".emmea90 wrote: ↑12/07/2019, 16:33Is it possibile if you do Mont-Blanc tunnel (are you sure they didn't it in 1973)?. You have to keep San Carlo if you want to end in Aosta to be "counted"jibvalverde wrote: ↑12/07/2019, 16:23
1) Thanks, i will adapt my route.
2) i would adapt Geneva-Aoste by San Carlo (160km at the time, impossible now in less than 250km) in a Sion-Aoste by Grand Saint-Bernard
3) it will be 23 without rest so...
You have to do San Carlo before Aosta if you want it to be counted.
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- IamCeeKae
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
Contest submission: maps/tours/view/12232
Statistics:
Total distance = 3545.3 km
8 high mountain stages, 5 medium mountain stages, 9 flat stages, 4 individual time-trials.
4 mountain top finishes, 2 hill top finishes.
ITT total distance = 96.0 km
Total KOM sprints = 81
Total HC climbs = 5
Prologue: Haacht > Haacht (7.1 km)
The prologue of the Tour de Eddy Merckx lies in Haacht. It's a town nearby the city of Brussels, Eddy Merckx's home city. Haacht can be considered the turning point of Merckx's career. Despite it being among the amateurs, Haacht was the place in which Merckx achieved his first career victory.
Stage 1: Haacht > Torhout (203 km)
The first stage of the Tour de Eddy Merckx is dedicated to the first stages, as well as stage victories in Merckx cycling career. The most notable stages are as follows:
- Haacht; Merckx's first amateur victory, in 1962.
- Leuven; his first one day race on professional level, in the GP Jef Scherens - Leuven.
- Affligem; his first professional career victory, the GP Affligem Grote Paasprijs.
- Vilvoorde; his second professional career victory, the GP Stad Vilvoorde.
- Torhout; a highly regarded first year victory in the Omloop van het Houtland.
Furthermore, the cyclists will pass through Merckx's small birthtown of Meensel-Kiezegem, once more in his honour.
Stage 2: Gent > Wevelgem (181.1 km)
The second stage of the Tour de Eddy Merckx focuses on the many Flanders classics Merckx has won over the course of his career. Although this stage won't go over the usual key parts of the Gent-Wevelgem classic, the riders will still start and finish in the same places.
More focus will be put on key parts of the classics Tour de Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, as well as the Omloop het Volk (Omloop het Nieuwsblad), which shares similar key moments in its race as the Tour de Flanders. The riders will come across climbs like the Kapelmuur (Geraardsbergen) and the Oude Kwaremont, as well as the toughest French cobble sector of them all, the Carrefour de l'Arbre. For cobble cyclists and punchers, today's stage will be a treat. It's a matter of survival for the riders aiming for general classifications, unless they're called Merckx of course.
Stage 3a: Tournai > Charleroi (88.1 km)
Stage 3a is a typical sprinters stage mostly meant as a bridge between the cobble stage in southern Flanders and France, to the hill-classics oriented stage in middle and northeastern Wallonia.
The start lies in Tournai, a city the riders had already passed in stage two, and the finish lies in Charleroi. There is a single sprint for the green jersey at just over 65 kilometers into the stage. After that it's only 23 more kilometers to go until the finish, so the sprint favorites might have to spare their energy for the real deal. Only time will tell.
Stage 3b: Charleroi > Rocourt (Liège) (131 km)
After a small sprint stage earlier on this day, stage 3b goes the other way around. This stage is dedicated to the plenty Ardennes classics Eddy Merckx has won over the course of his career. Most notably, La Flèche Wallonne and the Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
The cyclists will start in Charleroi and halfway through the stage pass over the Mur de Huy as their first tough Ardennes climb. Although it wasn't back in Merckx's days, ever since 1983 the Huy climb counted as the finish of La Flèche Wallonne, hence why it was decided to insert the climb into this tour. Over the course of 70 kilometers, the cyclists will pass six tough and steep climbs, until the finish in Rocourt, nearby Liège, at around the same place the Rocourt Vélodrome lied in 1969, Merckx's first victory in the famous Liège-Bastogne-Liège monument.
Stage 4: Heerlen > Bonn (174.8 km)
Stage 4 honours, albeit in small, some of the crucial climbs hilly climbs that led to Merckx's victory in the Amstel Gold Race in 1973 and 1975. Aside from that, the stage starts in Heerlen, the starting place for both classics in which he won them, as well as the same town wherein he won his first ever world championship in cycling in 1967.
All this honour takes place only in the first sixty kilometers of the stage, after which the cyclists will cross the border towards Germany, getting ready for the next big thing Merckx has won in his already accomplished career.
There are three climbs for the mountain classification, and after 175 kilometers the cyclists will cross the finish in Bonn.
Stage 5: Köln > Frankfurt am Main (189.5 km)
Stage five honors the most famous victory Eddy Merckx has achieved in Germany, the Rund um den Henninger Turm in 1971. Although the classic was typically meant for sprinters, Merckx had no troubles with it and his all-round qualities.
The cyclists will start the stage in Köln. Although this stage doesn't resemble the profile of the Rund um den Henninger Turm in the slightest bit, having so many ups and downs, only two hills are actually categorized.
The finish lies in Frankfurt am Main, below the place that was formerly property of the Henninger Turm, where now stands a modern living complex, yet still with similar size and shape as its predecessor. The finish lies on a slightly steep section, going on for six percent in the last 500 meters of the stage.
Stage 6a: Mainz > Heidelberg (110 km)
Stage 6a bears no relevance to any of Merckx's achievements, however, it does give a hint of what is to come during this grand tour. He had two specialties: time trials, and mountains, more specifically, mountain top finishes. His puncher qualities led him to many victories over the course of his career, and the finish atop the Königstuhl, after a 110 kilometer long half stage starting in Mainz, will show which modern day climbers share his qualities.
Stage 6b: Heidelberg > Karlsruhe (51.5 km)
Eddy Merckx's other best quality, apart from climbing, was time trials. In the Tour de France alone, he'd won a total of 20 time trials, both with his team and by himself.
Today's individual time trial stretches a distance of 51.5 kilometers, reaching from Heidelberg, the place the cyclists finished in earlier in the day, to Karlsruhe. Now it's only a matter of time before the Tour arrives at another one of Merckx's famed finishes.
Stage 7: Haguenau > Ballon d'Alsace (218.9 km)
Stage 7 is the first official mountain stage in the Tour de Eddy Merckx. With three cols of first category, including the last one, with a mountain top finish, this stage is one meant for the climbers.
The start is in Haguenau, in north-eastern France, right across the border from Germany. From there, the riders will go south, through Strasbourg and Colmar, before starting their first climb of the day on the Côte des Cinq Châteaux. In between are four more climbs, until the first category finish on top of the Ballon d'Alsace, the place where Merckx won his first ever stage in the Tour de France.
Stage 8: Belfort > Yverdon-les-Bains (197.4 km)
The few times in which Merckx visited Switzerland, he left a very good impression. In his first Tour de Romandie, he achieved first place overall. In his first Tour de Suisse, in 1974, he achieved first place overall too, as well as the mountains and sprints classification.
This is why the cyclists will enter Switzerland as well in the Tour de Eddy Merckx. The first stage will pass through the French part of Switzerland, Romandie, only. There are a total of seven categorized climbs during this stage that will form a challenge for cyclists a plenty.
Stage 9: Freiburg > Luzern (143 km)
Stage 9 is a hilly stage that prepares the riders for one of the toughest climbs they will ever come across in the next stage. If it can even be considered a warm-up.
The stage starts in Freiburg, or Fribourg, if one claims it to be part of Romandie. Although the stage isn't too hilly at the start, the riders will have to cross a climb of 1.3 kilometers, with an average slope of 10.7(!) percent.
However, it's the last forty kilometers of the stage in particular that stand out. Two more exceptionally steep categorized climbs, 2nd and 3rd category respectively follow each other up with a steep descent in between. In the last ten kilometers of the stage, the still have to cross a small, yet not necessarily easy, uncategorized climb, before reaching the finish, after 143 kilometers, in Luzern.
Stage 10a: Meiringen > Passo San Gottardo (99 km)
Stage 10a is a beauty. It is an exceptionally difficult stage, that, despite likely not having been climbed by Eddy Merckx, defines his qualities as a professional cyclist. He was able to do everything. His biggest specialty was climbing, hence the high mountain stage, but he was just as capable beating cyclists on cobbles.
The last climb of the day has both. The Passo di Gottardo qualifies as both a climb and a cobble sector, that can even challenge climbers that lack qualities on the cobbles. The pass's unique traits makes it an unforgettable final in the Tour de Eddy Merckx. And that is without mentioning the two Hors Catégorie climbs that go before it.
Stage 10b: Airolo > Mendrizio (121.7 km)
After the exciting high mountain stage earlier in the day, in stage 10b the climbers hope t ride off the pain in their legs. Starting from 1100 meters, the start of the stage is mostly orienting on a slow descent back to approximately 200 meters above sea level. From the start in Airolo to the finish in Mendrizio, there are three climbs the cyclists need to look out for on their way. Especially the Monte Ceneri can be exciting, but most importantly the Novazzano slope not even five kilometers before the finish can be tough luck for some riders.
Stage 10b looks back at Merckx's second ever road world championship victory in the city of Mendrizio. After 48 years, the original route of the circuit is mapped out as accurately as possible, so the riders will get a little feel at achieving the same thing.
Stage 11: Milan > Como (159.4 km)
Eddy Merckx won the Giro di Lombardia twice in his cycling career, consecutively, in 1971 and 1972. Back then, the start and finish places were the same as they are in this stage, namely Milan and Como, although the difficulty of the stage was different. Probably flatter, however, much longer as well.
Today's stage can be considered as fairly mountainous, with two consecutive first category climbs between 90 and 120 kilometers. At the very end of the stage though, not going unnoticed, lies the Civiglio, a steep climb right beside the city of Como, of second category. Who knows what the riders might do there.
Stage 12: Novara > Saint-Vincent (146.4 km)
Stage 12 of the Tour de Eddy Merckx looks back at Merckx's 1970 Giro d'Italia victory in that year's stage two, with the finish in Saint-Vincent. It is one of two Giro victories out of his total of 24, that will be looked back upon in this version of the Tour de Eddy Merckx.
There are two first category climbs within 50 kilometers of the finish, followed shortly after one another. This stage, just like yesterday, had its finish in the valley at the foot of the Col Tze Core. This doesn't lower the expectation however, that this can and will be a very exciting stage to watch.
Stage 13: Castellamonte > Monte Jafferau (178.1 km)
Today's stage draws back on Merckx's 1972 stage victory with the finish on the Monte Jafferau. Original plans were to draw the finish line even higher, had it not been the case most of the route above 1900 meters was unpaved. One could then have expected similar results as on top of the Passo San Gottardo.
Stage 13 starts in the town of Castellomonte, after which the slopes gradually appear in increasing difficulty. As if teasing with the Italian Alps, the riders will pass over a total of five (!) 2nd category climbs, as well as two more 1st category mountains, the Colle della Dieta, and of course the place where the finish lies, the Monte Jafferau. What could make this stage ever more exciting is the long flat-ish stretch between the Colle del Lys and the Gravere. For one, it can be considered the calmth before the storm, and also, who stays ahead, and who falls behind?
Stage 14: Turin > San Remo (229.5 km)
A stage as long as the Milano - San Remo classic, after just barely surviving the Alps as it is, would've been too much for the cyclists, even if it would be considered a flat stage.
However, this doesn't mean we can't replicate it. We just have to choose a big city that lies a little closer to San Remo than Milan. And after the Monte Jafferau, the big city closest to either of these finishes, was Turin. It is here where the riders will start this 229.5 kilometer long stage. It is also the longest stage in and of itself in the entire Tour de Eddy Merckx, so it still shares a trait with the Milan - San Remo classic after all.
The climbs the riders cross during this stage gradually lower in difficulty. First, to cross the mountains that keeps the Po-plateau separated from the beautiful Mediterranean coast, the profile shows a 2nd category climb over the Colle San Bernardo. After that, two 3rd category climbs shortly after one another, and lastly three more 4th category climbs, including the Poggio di San Remo, to finish it all off. Hereafter is a rest day. It gives the riders time to rest, as well as the Tour the option to travel by plane to the city of Barcelona.
Stage 15a: Barcelona > Barcelona (Castell de Montjuïc) (11 km)
Eddy Merckx didn't ride races in Spain all too often. In fact, compared to the six Tours and six Giro's he rode in his career, he only went to Spain for the Vuelta once. When he did visit Spain however, he made sure to win prizes. The Escalada a Montjuïc was one of those races. A one day stage race that he managed to win six times over the course of his career, of which five consecutively.
Today's stage 15a is a time trial concerning the Castell de Montjuïc. It's slightly hilly as well, so, from the person reaching the finish starting from the foot of the climb will receive the single KOM point reserved for them on top.
Stage 15b: Barcelona > Calafell (88.7 km)
Stage 15b is mostly of importance because of its finish. The start of the stage is in Barcelona once more, after a time trial in the same city earlier that day. From here the riders will rider 89 kilometers before reaching the finish line in the coastal town of Calafell, one of the six places counting as a finish wherein Eddy Merckx crossed the line first, during his only visit to Spain in the Vuelta.
Stage 16: Valls > Huesca (191.3 km)
Stage 16 of the Tour de Eddy Merckx, from Valls tp Huesca, mainly functions as a bridge the riders will cross over the Spanish land, before reaching, then crossing the Pyrenées. A small preparation, and an option for sprinters to show themselves one last time before they reach Brussels.
Stage 17: Jaca > La Mongie (173.2 km)
Starting in Jaca, the cyclists will cross another European border, this time between the countries Spain and France.
A total of three big mountains can be named during this stage: the Col du Pourtalet, the Col du Solour and the Col du Tourmalet. In this stage, the finish doesn't lie on top of the last named col, but rather, a couple hundred meters below its peak, in the small skiing village called La Mongie. It was here that Eddy Merckx won another one of his 34 Tour de France stages.
Stage 18: Bagnères-de-Bigorre > Superbagnères (153.1 km)
Stage 18 starts in Bagnères-de-Bigorre and finishes, for the last time, on the top of a mountain.
Said mountain is called the Superbagnères, and its name is telling. This is a mountain of its highest caliber, Hórs Categorie. The stage is only 153 kilometers long, yet despite that, the cyclists have to cross a total of seven climbs, four of which 1st category or higher. It'll show to be a very promising stage, so close before the Tour ends.
Stage 19: Saint-Girons > Saint-Girons (173.9 km)
The last mountain stage, as well as the last Pyrenées stage of the Tour starts and finishes in Saint-Girons. This has mostly to do with the functionality of the city.
The cyclists will not have it as difficult as the day before, but must not let their guard down during this stage. Especially the last half of the Col de la Crouzette can make for a very exciting turn of events, concerning the mountains average steepness. The last two kilometers of this climb have an average steepness of 11.9 percent. The last single kilometer even more so, with 13.3 percent.
Stage 20a: Brussels (Airport) > Brussels (Atomium) (26.5 km)
After travel by airplane, a flight that crossed over the entirety of France, departing from the Antichan airport near Saint-Girons, the cyclists arrived in Brussels, Merckx's home city. The first stage of the day, a time trial of 26.5 kilometers long, will be starting near the airport of Brussels, and finish at the Atomium in the same city.
Stage 20b: Brussels (Atomium) > Brussels (Palais Royale) (98.5 km)
The last stage of the Tour de Eddy Merckx is short, a circuit around Brussels' inner city. It starts where the cyclists finished their time trials earlier that day, at the Atomium, and after eight laps over the circuit around Brussels, the riders take a turn left and prepare for the last sprint nearby the Royal Palace.
Statistics:
Total distance = 3545.3 km
8 high mountain stages, 5 medium mountain stages, 9 flat stages, 4 individual time-trials.
4 mountain top finishes, 2 hill top finishes.
ITT total distance = 96.0 km
Total KOM sprints = 81
Total HC climbs = 5
Prologue: Haacht > Haacht (7.1 km)
The prologue of the Tour de Eddy Merckx lies in Haacht. It's a town nearby the city of Brussels, Eddy Merckx's home city. Haacht can be considered the turning point of Merckx's career. Despite it being among the amateurs, Haacht was the place in which Merckx achieved his first career victory.
Stage 1: Haacht > Torhout (203 km)
The first stage of the Tour de Eddy Merckx is dedicated to the first stages, as well as stage victories in Merckx cycling career. The most notable stages are as follows:
- Haacht; Merckx's first amateur victory, in 1962.
- Leuven; his first one day race on professional level, in the GP Jef Scherens - Leuven.
- Affligem; his first professional career victory, the GP Affligem Grote Paasprijs.
- Vilvoorde; his second professional career victory, the GP Stad Vilvoorde.
- Torhout; a highly regarded first year victory in the Omloop van het Houtland.
Furthermore, the cyclists will pass through Merckx's small birthtown of Meensel-Kiezegem, once more in his honour.
Stage 2: Gent > Wevelgem (181.1 km)
The second stage of the Tour de Eddy Merckx focuses on the many Flanders classics Merckx has won over the course of his career. Although this stage won't go over the usual key parts of the Gent-Wevelgem classic, the riders will still start and finish in the same places.
More focus will be put on key parts of the classics Tour de Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, as well as the Omloop het Volk (Omloop het Nieuwsblad), which shares similar key moments in its race as the Tour de Flanders. The riders will come across climbs like the Kapelmuur (Geraardsbergen) and the Oude Kwaremont, as well as the toughest French cobble sector of them all, the Carrefour de l'Arbre. For cobble cyclists and punchers, today's stage will be a treat. It's a matter of survival for the riders aiming for general classifications, unless they're called Merckx of course.
Stage 3a: Tournai > Charleroi (88.1 km)
Stage 3a is a typical sprinters stage mostly meant as a bridge between the cobble stage in southern Flanders and France, to the hill-classics oriented stage in middle and northeastern Wallonia.
The start lies in Tournai, a city the riders had already passed in stage two, and the finish lies in Charleroi. There is a single sprint for the green jersey at just over 65 kilometers into the stage. After that it's only 23 more kilometers to go until the finish, so the sprint favorites might have to spare their energy for the real deal. Only time will tell.
Stage 3b: Charleroi > Rocourt (Liège) (131 km)
After a small sprint stage earlier on this day, stage 3b goes the other way around. This stage is dedicated to the plenty Ardennes classics Eddy Merckx has won over the course of his career. Most notably, La Flèche Wallonne and the Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
The cyclists will start in Charleroi and halfway through the stage pass over the Mur de Huy as their first tough Ardennes climb. Although it wasn't back in Merckx's days, ever since 1983 the Huy climb counted as the finish of La Flèche Wallonne, hence why it was decided to insert the climb into this tour. Over the course of 70 kilometers, the cyclists will pass six tough and steep climbs, until the finish in Rocourt, nearby Liège, at around the same place the Rocourt Vélodrome lied in 1969, Merckx's first victory in the famous Liège-Bastogne-Liège monument.
Stage 4: Heerlen > Bonn (174.8 km)
Stage 4 honours, albeit in small, some of the crucial climbs hilly climbs that led to Merckx's victory in the Amstel Gold Race in 1973 and 1975. Aside from that, the stage starts in Heerlen, the starting place for both classics in which he won them, as well as the same town wherein he won his first ever world championship in cycling in 1967.
All this honour takes place only in the first sixty kilometers of the stage, after which the cyclists will cross the border towards Germany, getting ready for the next big thing Merckx has won in his already accomplished career.
There are three climbs for the mountain classification, and after 175 kilometers the cyclists will cross the finish in Bonn.
Stage 5: Köln > Frankfurt am Main (189.5 km)
Stage five honors the most famous victory Eddy Merckx has achieved in Germany, the Rund um den Henninger Turm in 1971. Although the classic was typically meant for sprinters, Merckx had no troubles with it and his all-round qualities.
The cyclists will start the stage in Köln. Although this stage doesn't resemble the profile of the Rund um den Henninger Turm in the slightest bit, having so many ups and downs, only two hills are actually categorized.
The finish lies in Frankfurt am Main, below the place that was formerly property of the Henninger Turm, where now stands a modern living complex, yet still with similar size and shape as its predecessor. The finish lies on a slightly steep section, going on for six percent in the last 500 meters of the stage.
Stage 6a: Mainz > Heidelberg (110 km)
Stage 6a bears no relevance to any of Merckx's achievements, however, it does give a hint of what is to come during this grand tour. He had two specialties: time trials, and mountains, more specifically, mountain top finishes. His puncher qualities led him to many victories over the course of his career, and the finish atop the Königstuhl, after a 110 kilometer long half stage starting in Mainz, will show which modern day climbers share his qualities.
Stage 6b: Heidelberg > Karlsruhe (51.5 km)
Eddy Merckx's other best quality, apart from climbing, was time trials. In the Tour de France alone, he'd won a total of 20 time trials, both with his team and by himself.
Today's individual time trial stretches a distance of 51.5 kilometers, reaching from Heidelberg, the place the cyclists finished in earlier in the day, to Karlsruhe. Now it's only a matter of time before the Tour arrives at another one of Merckx's famed finishes.
Stage 7: Haguenau > Ballon d'Alsace (218.9 km)
Stage 7 is the first official mountain stage in the Tour de Eddy Merckx. With three cols of first category, including the last one, with a mountain top finish, this stage is one meant for the climbers.
The start is in Haguenau, in north-eastern France, right across the border from Germany. From there, the riders will go south, through Strasbourg and Colmar, before starting their first climb of the day on the Côte des Cinq Châteaux. In between are four more climbs, until the first category finish on top of the Ballon d'Alsace, the place where Merckx won his first ever stage in the Tour de France.
Stage 8: Belfort > Yverdon-les-Bains (197.4 km)
The few times in which Merckx visited Switzerland, he left a very good impression. In his first Tour de Romandie, he achieved first place overall. In his first Tour de Suisse, in 1974, he achieved first place overall too, as well as the mountains and sprints classification.
This is why the cyclists will enter Switzerland as well in the Tour de Eddy Merckx. The first stage will pass through the French part of Switzerland, Romandie, only. There are a total of seven categorized climbs during this stage that will form a challenge for cyclists a plenty.
Stage 9: Freiburg > Luzern (143 km)
Stage 9 is a hilly stage that prepares the riders for one of the toughest climbs they will ever come across in the next stage. If it can even be considered a warm-up.
The stage starts in Freiburg, or Fribourg, if one claims it to be part of Romandie. Although the stage isn't too hilly at the start, the riders will have to cross a climb of 1.3 kilometers, with an average slope of 10.7(!) percent.
However, it's the last forty kilometers of the stage in particular that stand out. Two more exceptionally steep categorized climbs, 2nd and 3rd category respectively follow each other up with a steep descent in between. In the last ten kilometers of the stage, the still have to cross a small, yet not necessarily easy, uncategorized climb, before reaching the finish, after 143 kilometers, in Luzern.
Stage 10a: Meiringen > Passo San Gottardo (99 km)
Stage 10a is a beauty. It is an exceptionally difficult stage, that, despite likely not having been climbed by Eddy Merckx, defines his qualities as a professional cyclist. He was able to do everything. His biggest specialty was climbing, hence the high mountain stage, but he was just as capable beating cyclists on cobbles.
The last climb of the day has both. The Passo di Gottardo qualifies as both a climb and a cobble sector, that can even challenge climbers that lack qualities on the cobbles. The pass's unique traits makes it an unforgettable final in the Tour de Eddy Merckx. And that is without mentioning the two Hors Catégorie climbs that go before it.
Stage 10b: Airolo > Mendrizio (121.7 km)
After the exciting high mountain stage earlier in the day, in stage 10b the climbers hope t ride off the pain in their legs. Starting from 1100 meters, the start of the stage is mostly orienting on a slow descent back to approximately 200 meters above sea level. From the start in Airolo to the finish in Mendrizio, there are three climbs the cyclists need to look out for on their way. Especially the Monte Ceneri can be exciting, but most importantly the Novazzano slope not even five kilometers before the finish can be tough luck for some riders.
Stage 10b looks back at Merckx's second ever road world championship victory in the city of Mendrizio. After 48 years, the original route of the circuit is mapped out as accurately as possible, so the riders will get a little feel at achieving the same thing.
Stage 11: Milan > Como (159.4 km)
Eddy Merckx won the Giro di Lombardia twice in his cycling career, consecutively, in 1971 and 1972. Back then, the start and finish places were the same as they are in this stage, namely Milan and Como, although the difficulty of the stage was different. Probably flatter, however, much longer as well.
Today's stage can be considered as fairly mountainous, with two consecutive first category climbs between 90 and 120 kilometers. At the very end of the stage though, not going unnoticed, lies the Civiglio, a steep climb right beside the city of Como, of second category. Who knows what the riders might do there.
Stage 12: Novara > Saint-Vincent (146.4 km)
Stage 12 of the Tour de Eddy Merckx looks back at Merckx's 1970 Giro d'Italia victory in that year's stage two, with the finish in Saint-Vincent. It is one of two Giro victories out of his total of 24, that will be looked back upon in this version of the Tour de Eddy Merckx.
There are two first category climbs within 50 kilometers of the finish, followed shortly after one another. This stage, just like yesterday, had its finish in the valley at the foot of the Col Tze Core. This doesn't lower the expectation however, that this can and will be a very exciting stage to watch.
Stage 13: Castellamonte > Monte Jafferau (178.1 km)
Today's stage draws back on Merckx's 1972 stage victory with the finish on the Monte Jafferau. Original plans were to draw the finish line even higher, had it not been the case most of the route above 1900 meters was unpaved. One could then have expected similar results as on top of the Passo San Gottardo.
Stage 13 starts in the town of Castellomonte, after which the slopes gradually appear in increasing difficulty. As if teasing with the Italian Alps, the riders will pass over a total of five (!) 2nd category climbs, as well as two more 1st category mountains, the Colle della Dieta, and of course the place where the finish lies, the Monte Jafferau. What could make this stage ever more exciting is the long flat-ish stretch between the Colle del Lys and the Gravere. For one, it can be considered the calmth before the storm, and also, who stays ahead, and who falls behind?
Stage 14: Turin > San Remo (229.5 km)
A stage as long as the Milano - San Remo classic, after just barely surviving the Alps as it is, would've been too much for the cyclists, even if it would be considered a flat stage.
However, this doesn't mean we can't replicate it. We just have to choose a big city that lies a little closer to San Remo than Milan. And after the Monte Jafferau, the big city closest to either of these finishes, was Turin. It is here where the riders will start this 229.5 kilometer long stage. It is also the longest stage in and of itself in the entire Tour de Eddy Merckx, so it still shares a trait with the Milan - San Remo classic after all.
The climbs the riders cross during this stage gradually lower in difficulty. First, to cross the mountains that keeps the Po-plateau separated from the beautiful Mediterranean coast, the profile shows a 2nd category climb over the Colle San Bernardo. After that, two 3rd category climbs shortly after one another, and lastly three more 4th category climbs, including the Poggio di San Remo, to finish it all off. Hereafter is a rest day. It gives the riders time to rest, as well as the Tour the option to travel by plane to the city of Barcelona.
Stage 15a: Barcelona > Barcelona (Castell de Montjuïc) (11 km)
Eddy Merckx didn't ride races in Spain all too often. In fact, compared to the six Tours and six Giro's he rode in his career, he only went to Spain for the Vuelta once. When he did visit Spain however, he made sure to win prizes. The Escalada a Montjuïc was one of those races. A one day stage race that he managed to win six times over the course of his career, of which five consecutively.
Today's stage 15a is a time trial concerning the Castell de Montjuïc. It's slightly hilly as well, so, from the person reaching the finish starting from the foot of the climb will receive the single KOM point reserved for them on top.
Stage 15b: Barcelona > Calafell (88.7 km)
Stage 15b is mostly of importance because of its finish. The start of the stage is in Barcelona once more, after a time trial in the same city earlier that day. From here the riders will rider 89 kilometers before reaching the finish line in the coastal town of Calafell, one of the six places counting as a finish wherein Eddy Merckx crossed the line first, during his only visit to Spain in the Vuelta.
Stage 16: Valls > Huesca (191.3 km)
Stage 16 of the Tour de Eddy Merckx, from Valls tp Huesca, mainly functions as a bridge the riders will cross over the Spanish land, before reaching, then crossing the Pyrenées. A small preparation, and an option for sprinters to show themselves one last time before they reach Brussels.
Stage 17: Jaca > La Mongie (173.2 km)
Starting in Jaca, the cyclists will cross another European border, this time between the countries Spain and France.
A total of three big mountains can be named during this stage: the Col du Pourtalet, the Col du Solour and the Col du Tourmalet. In this stage, the finish doesn't lie on top of the last named col, but rather, a couple hundred meters below its peak, in the small skiing village called La Mongie. It was here that Eddy Merckx won another one of his 34 Tour de France stages.
Stage 18: Bagnères-de-Bigorre > Superbagnères (153.1 km)
Stage 18 starts in Bagnères-de-Bigorre and finishes, for the last time, on the top of a mountain.
Said mountain is called the Superbagnères, and its name is telling. This is a mountain of its highest caliber, Hórs Categorie. The stage is only 153 kilometers long, yet despite that, the cyclists have to cross a total of seven climbs, four of which 1st category or higher. It'll show to be a very promising stage, so close before the Tour ends.
Stage 19: Saint-Girons > Saint-Girons (173.9 km)
The last mountain stage, as well as the last Pyrenées stage of the Tour starts and finishes in Saint-Girons. This has mostly to do with the functionality of the city.
The cyclists will not have it as difficult as the day before, but must not let their guard down during this stage. Especially the last half of the Col de la Crouzette can make for a very exciting turn of events, concerning the mountains average steepness. The last two kilometers of this climb have an average steepness of 11.9 percent. The last single kilometer even more so, with 13.3 percent.
Stage 20a: Brussels (Airport) > Brussels (Atomium) (26.5 km)
After travel by airplane, a flight that crossed over the entirety of France, departing from the Antichan airport near Saint-Girons, the cyclists arrived in Brussels, Merckx's home city. The first stage of the day, a time trial of 26.5 kilometers long, will be starting near the airport of Brussels, and finish at the Atomium in the same city.
Stage 20b: Brussels (Atomium) > Brussels (Palais Royale) (98.5 km)
The last stage of the Tour de Eddy Merckx is short, a circuit around Brussels' inner city. It starts where the cyclists finished their time trials earlier that day, at the Atomium, and after eight laps over the circuit around Brussels, the riders take a turn left and prepare for the last sprint nearby the Royal Palace.
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
Here if my Merckxian Grand Tour !
maps/tours/view/12223
Prologue : Hasselt – Hasselt
14e étape : Martigny - Saint-Vincent
maps/tours/view/12223
Prologue : Hasselt – Hasselt
1re étape A : Genk – HeerlenA small time trial traced in Hasselt’s streets. Few gap but a first hierarchy.
1re étape B : Heelen – MerssenWe start with a half-stage which will probably win a sprinter. The riders will take the Heerlen 1967 world championship circuit three times, which has crowned a certain Eddy Merckx.
2e étape : Maastricht – LiègeIn the afternoon, the riders will stay in the Netherlands with a first hilly course in Dutch Limburg on Amstel Gold Race roads. Not the favorite race of Merckx but he won it in 1973 and 1975.
3e étape : Liège – ForestA special Merckx Grand Tour had to go through the Ardennes roads around Liège. The riders will be entitled to a mini-Liège-Bastogne-Liège, of which Merckx is always the absolute record holder of victory, despite Valverde.
4e étape : Woluwe-Saint-Lambert – Woluwe-Saint-LambertFrom Liege, the runners will first go along the Meuse, with a passage to Thier de Huy, to Namur where they will climb the Citadel by the route of the Canons. But the strategic part of the stage will intervene in the last 50 kilometers with four paved sectors, the Chemin du Hal, the Chemin du Crucifix, the Rue de Fichermont and the sector of Fichermont to Dimont, before multiplying the ascensions to Forest, place of a Merckx victory on the Tour 1970.
5e étape : Bruxelles – NinoveOn this fifth day of the race, a team time trial awaits the riders in the streets of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. It was at the end of this event, right here, that Merckx took on the yellow jersey for the first time and, indirectly, achieved its first victory on the Tour 1969.
6e étape : Mons – Châlon-en-ChampagneWe could not decently spend several days in Belgium without offering to the riders a mini-Ronde. If Merckx won it "only" twice, in 1969 and 1975, its successes were outstanding. No doubt there will already be big differences in the overall standings after this stage ...
7e étape : Bar-le-Duc – Ballon d’AlsaceEnormous climber and time trial specialist, Eddy Merckx was nonetheless a very fast sprinter in small group arrivals, thanks to his power. And this allowed him to win a little more stage success, like the one acquired in Châlon-en-Champagne, then Châlon-sur-Marne, on the Tour 1974. A massive sprint is expected.
8e étape A : Belfort – PontarlierThis is the first date for climbers. At the end of a long stage, the favorites will fight battle in the final climb of the Ballon d'Alsace, where Merckx raised his arms for the first time on the Tour, in 1969.
8e étape B : Pontarlier - Divonne-les-BainsNo reference to Merckx this time but a half-step for sprinters, despite the profile in constant rise.
9e étape : Divonne-les-Bains - Divonne-les-BainsMerckx has always loved Divonne-les-Bains. The Cannibal has signed three victories on the Tour, including one on the 1970 Tour, beyond the Col de la Faucille. A perfect opportunity for climbers on the sidelines of the general.
10e étape A : Genève – LausanneWinner of two time trials in Divonne sur le Tour (1969 and 1970), Merckx would have loved this one. 44km overall flat, ideal for a big rider. Climbers will probably be pushed far enough after this stage.
10e étape A 11e étape : Lausanne – LausannePresent throughout the year, Merckx won all sorts of races, from Grand Tours to Monuments to races that have now disappeared, like A Travers Lausanne, an event composed of an online race. in Lausanne, ending at Signal de Sauvelin. An opportunity for climbers and punchers.
11e étape : Lausanne – ThouneBut A Travers Lausanne was also composed of a chrono, which left the Olympic part of Lausanne to arrive at Signal.
12e étape : Thoune – SionNo references to Merckx but a step that has everything to offer a great deal of weapons between fighters and sprinters. These could be put in difficulty in the first part but the end is clearly favorable.
13e étape : Sion – OvronnazThis time, the fighters should have the last word. On the road to Sion, the difficulties will be too many for the sprinters but probably not enough to see a team rolling for one of his punchers. In case of arrival "massive", the rise of Signesberg (4km to 5%) 7km from the arrival should make the decision.
JOUR DE REPOSNo doubt Merckx would have liked this step. After the ascent of Giettes in the first part of stage, the riders will face in the final the Col de la Croix de Coeur (15.5km to 8.6%) before going down to get the climb of Ovronnaz (9, 6km to 9.4%). One of the main stages of this event on the eve of the one and only day of rest of the event.
14e étape : Martigny - Saint-Vincent
15e étape : Saint-Vincent-NovaraFor this first Italian opus, it will be time, again, to pay tribute to Merckx with an arrival in St. Vincent, Valle d'Aosta. The Cannibal had won on the Giro 1968, after the ascent of Col de Joux. This time, the stage is hardened with before that the Great Saint Bernard, the Saint-Panthaléon and the Tsecore. A real mountain stage.
16e étape : Novara – Marano TicinoIt was not only on the Tour that Merckx surprised by winning a sprint stage in the sprint. It also happened on the 1968 Giro, in Novara. This time, it's a pure sprinter who should win.
17e étape : Busto Arsizio – RivoliWinner of all the Monuments, Merckx has also imposed on less known but prestigious classics, like the Tour du Piedmont in 1972. A classic then much more difficult, with the rise of the Mottarone (20km to 5.5 %) more than 60km from the finish. A nice step for fighters so.
18e étape : Turin – JafferauOn the eve of the alpine triptych, the riders will find an easier terrain but not necessarily less tricky. On paper, the arrival in Rivoli seems promised to sprinters. But the double passage on the paved climb of Via Papa Giovanni (2km to 4%, 800m paving stones) could create breaks.
19e étape : Bardonnechia – ValloireWhen Froome and Merckx greet each other, 46 years apart. To start this alpine triptych, the riders will face the terrible Finestre and its "dirt roads" before switching to Sestrière and the final climb of the Jafferau, where Merckx had won the Giro 1972. The last arrival at the summit.
20e étape : Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – GrenobleThe day after the Jafferau, the peloton will return to the French soil with a 20th opus that will take two of the most mythical climbs in France with the ascent of Izoard first before going to get the Galibier by its side of Lautaret. What to create big gaps before the arrival in Valloire, where Merckx had imposed on the Tour 1972.
21e étape : Versailles – Paris-La CipaleLast mountain stage and last chance for climbers to dig a maximum of gaps before the final time. The terrain will be ideal with the ascent of the Champ-Laurent, Marocaz and the triptych of the Chartreuse. A final that Merckx had devoured before raising his arms in Grenoble on the 1970 Tour.
From the Palace of Versailles to La Cipale, it will be a question of going as fast as possible for the leaders. With 27km on the program, there will be enough to reverse the situation in general on a field where Merckx had often imposed, like the Tour 1970
Last edited by jibvalverde on 30/07/2019, 19:08, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
5 stage for country (Belgium, Italy, France) including half stages or not?
Ex: Can i have 3 days in Belgium with 2 half stages or I must have 5 full stages for country?
Ex: Can i have 3 days in Belgium with 2 half stages or I must have 5 full stages for country?
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
How much classic finishes have to be in the track?
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
The 1973 Giro passed by the Monte Bianco tunnel, i'm sure!jibvalverde wrote: ↑12/07/2019, 16:44Never a race will pass by a so long tunnel, is it ? It's not a problem if not counted. Gran Piermonte is my 18th "Merckx arrival".emmea90 wrote: ↑12/07/2019, 16:33Is it possibile if you do Mont-Blanc tunnel (are you sure they didn't it in 1973)?. You have to keep San Carlo if you want to end in Aosta to be "counted"jibvalverde wrote: ↑12/07/2019, 16:23
1) Thanks, i will adapt my route.
2) i would adapt Geneva-Aoste by San Carlo (160km at the time, impossible now in less than 250km) in a Sion-Aoste by Grand Saint-Bernard
3) it will be 23 without rest so...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFVCVccY1zg
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
Thanks for the confirmation but i already believe him ^^ It's just it will never happen today. A tunnel of 11 km, it's impossible lol But, eh, it's the Giro after all.david.tuci wrote: ↑16/07/2019, 17:20The 1973 Giro passed by the Monte Bianco tunnel, i'm sure!jibvalverde wrote: ↑12/07/2019, 16:44Never a race will pass by a so long tunnel, is it ? It's not a problem if not counted. Gran Piermonte is my 18th "Merckx arrival".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFVCVccY1zg
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
Full stagesdavid.tuci wrote: ↑15/07/2019, 18:43 5 stage for country (Belgium, Italy, France) including half stages or not?
Ex: Can i have 3 days in Belgium with 2 half stages or I must have 5 full stages for country?
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
Why is impossible? If it's a road, the race can do it.jibvalverde wrote: ↑16/07/2019, 17:38Thanks for the confirmation but i already believe him ^^ It's just it will never happen today. A tunnel of 11 km, it's impossible lol But, eh, it's the Giro after all.david.tuci wrote: ↑16/07/2019, 17:20The 1973 Giro passed by the Monte Bianco tunnel, i'm sure!jibvalverde wrote: ↑12/07/2019, 16:44
Never a race will pass by a so long tunnel, is it ? It's not a problem if not counted. Gran Piermonte is my 18th "Merckx arrival".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFVCVccY1zg
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
Will you deduct points for MTF at Col du Jandri: maps/viewtrack/60341 ?
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
It's perfectly practicable if Tour de France wants to finish there.Bocmanis82 wrote: ↑16/07/2019, 21:02 Will you deduct points for MTF at Col du Jandri: maps/viewtrack/60341 ?
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
I mean that never an organisation will puT riders in a 11km tunnel today. It's possible technicly speaking mais they won't for TV, security, etc..emmea90 wrote: ↑16/07/2019, 19:13Why is impossible? If it's a road, the race can do it.jibvalverde wrote: ↑16/07/2019, 17:38Thanks for the confirmation but i already believe him ^^ It's just it will never happen today. A tunnel of 11 km, it's impossible lol But, eh, it's the Giro after all.david.tuci wrote: ↑16/07/2019, 17:20
The 1973 Giro passed by the Monte Bianco tunnel, i'm sure!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFVCVccY1zg
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
Good question, i've the same one... Is it five days of five stages/half-stages ?david.tuci wrote: ↑15/07/2019, 18:43 5 stage for country (Belgium, Italy, France) including half stages or not?
Ex: Can i have 3 days in Belgium with 2 half stages or I must have 5 full stages for country?
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
I would remember Italian newspaper "l'Unità" and Spaniard "El Mundo Deportivo" have online their complete archives: they can help you with profiles and news about stages and races.
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
5 days.jibvalverde wrote: ↑17/07/2019, 0:30Good question, i've the same one... Is it five days of five stages/half-stages ?david.tuci wrote: ↑15/07/2019, 18:43 5 stage for country (Belgium, Italy, France) including half stages or not?
Ex: Can i have 3 days in Belgium with 2 half stages or I must have 5 full stages for country?
A stage is 2 or 3 half-stages.
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
Alas i've no time to create my merckxian gran tour, but i've a plot if someone need..
Prol. Olot-Batet de la Serra ITT
1-Olot-Calafell
2-Calafell-Le Seu d'Urgell
3-Le Seu d'Urgell-Luchon
4-Luchon-Mourenx (via Aubisque)
5a-Mourenx-Bordeaux
5b.Bordeaux circuit du Lac ITT
Transfer
6-....-Ninove
7-Ninove-Bruxelles
8-Bruxelles-Verviers
9-Verviers-Liege
10a-Liege-Virton
11b-Virton ITT
11b-Virton-Strasbourg
12-Strasbourg-Ballon d'Alsace
13a-Mulhouse-Olten
13b-Olten ITT
14-Olten-Meiringen
15-Meiringen-Mendrisio
16-Mendrisio-Brescia (via Maddalena)
17-Brescia-Lido degli Estensi
18-Lido degli Estensi-Carpegna (via Barbotto and Monte Carpegna)
19-Carpegna-Alba Adriatica
20-Alba Adriatica-Block Haus
21-Chieti-Napoli (Velodromo Arenaccia)
All but Meiringen and Alba Adriatica all places were places of Merckx victories...
Prol. Olot-Batet de la Serra ITT
1-Olot-Calafell
2-Calafell-Le Seu d'Urgell
3-Le Seu d'Urgell-Luchon
4-Luchon-Mourenx (via Aubisque)
5a-Mourenx-Bordeaux
5b.Bordeaux circuit du Lac ITT
Transfer
6-....-Ninove
7-Ninove-Bruxelles
8-Bruxelles-Verviers
9-Verviers-Liege
10a-Liege-Virton
11b-Virton ITT
11b-Virton-Strasbourg
12-Strasbourg-Ballon d'Alsace
13a-Mulhouse-Olten
13b-Olten ITT
14-Olten-Meiringen
15-Meiringen-Mendrisio
16-Mendrisio-Brescia (via Maddalena)
17-Brescia-Lido degli Estensi
18-Lido degli Estensi-Carpegna (via Barbotto and Monte Carpegna)
19-Carpegna-Alba Adriatica
20-Alba Adriatica-Block Haus
21-Chieti-Napoli (Velodromo Arenaccia)
All but Meiringen and Alba Adriatica all places were places of Merckx victories...
Last edited by david.tuci on 19/07/2019, 22:42, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
Just to be sure, two half stages with a different finish count as two different finish places (for that 18)?
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Re: Contest #4 - The Merckxian Grand Tour
It better be yesterday I commited that sin
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