Eddy Merckx has sparked controversy on the eve of Paris-Roubaix by omitting former Classics rival Roger De Vlaeminck from his dream team for the race.
De Vlaeminck was known as Monsieur Paris-Roubaix because he won the Hell of the North four times (1972, 1974, 1975, and 1977) during his career - a feat that only Tom Boonen has equalled. De Vlaeminck beat Eddy Merckx in three of the editions of Paris-Roubaix he won and also finished second four times, third once, fifth once, sixth once, seventh twice. He only abandoned once, in 1980.
Merckx won Paris-Roubaix in 1968, 1970, and 1973 and the rivalry between his Molteni team and the De Vlaeminck’s Brooklyn squad was especially intense at Paris-Roubaix, with Merckx and De Vlaeminck often clashing in races and via the media.
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Merckx preferred legendary Belgian Rik Van Steenbergen from the forties and fifties as his co-leader for his dream team. Van Steenbergen won Paris-Roubaix in 1948 and 1952.
“A team needs a sprinter who can finish things off in Roubaix and Flanders. His experience and longevity are essential for these two classics,” Merckx told l’Equipe as he named his Paris-Roubaix dream team.
"He (De Vlaeminck) won’t be happy when he finds out but too bad, he’ll have to get over it,” Merckx said, still clearly happy to stoke his eternal rivalry. De Vlaeminck has yet to read the article but is unlikely to let it go.
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