Thévenet dethrones Eddy Merckx
As the 1975 Tour headed into the Alps for its final-week shakedown, the race had a familiar feel. The peloton rolled out of Nice bound for the summit of Pra-Loup, taking in climbs of the Saint-Martin, Couillole, Champs and Col d’Allos during the 217km stage. Eddy Merckx was in yellow and seemingly set on claiming his sixth Tour victory in seven years.
As the stage neared its climax, Merckx, who was 58 seconds ahead of France’s Bernard Thévenet on GC, attacked on the Allos to extend his lead. Chasing Merckx was
