A few people have asked what bike I was pedaling around on the Eroica California course. While it doesn’t meet the pre-1987 guidelines, it’s vintage enough for my tastes. The MX-Leaders have always had a soft spot in my heart. Arguably the most significant bikes to ever leave the Merckx factory, these were race-ready, pedigree machines. Made with Merckx’s proprietary lugs and Columbus MXL tubesets, they were some of the stiffest steel frames at the time.

Perfect for the US team Motorola, or in this case, team Telekom. This frame in particular was Brian Holm’s and while a majority of the MX-Ls were raced with Dura Ace 7400, the bike’s owner, Mark Riedy, decided to go a bit more practical – and classy IMO – with a 10-speed Campagnolo gruppo. He then topped the cockpit off with an ITM stem.

There’s something about the Telekom paint jobs that always did it for me. Flashy, yet classy and an undeniable style. I’d love to add one of these to my collection some day.

So, a reader sent this over, with the subject line “I think this is ok to share” and all that was in the body was this photo. A quick glance at the Eddy Merckx Facebook reveals it’s a tig-welded steel bike, commemorating Eddy’s 70th birthday, which would make sense, but details like pricepoint, country of origin, tubing, etc, etc, etc, seem to be missing.

Personally, I’d rather see a lugged Columbus frame with a steel fork. As far as pricepoint, I’m gonna guess this bike is upwards of $10k, complete… Does anyone have any more information on this?

Turns out, Peloton has the full scoop. Head over there to see more information. It’s stainless steel, hence the tig welding and made in Belgium. Oh and it’s $17k!

This one’s too good to not repost. Thanks for the heads up Tracko!

“A print series celebrating cycling’s legends in op art portraits. Each print colour is inspired by the team jersey in which they achieved their greatest successes and includes their detailed palmarès.”

See more at Victory Chimp.

What are these people thinking, posting a video of Eddy Merckx on a Wednesday of last week?

“First across the finish line 525 times, Eddy Merckx is the most successful cycle racer of all time. Jacky Ickx’s career is one of the richest and longest in the history of motorsport. His list of achievements is unrivalled in its variety. In 2015, Eddy Merckx and Jacky Ickx both celebrate their 70th birthday, as well as their long friendship. So it’s high time for the first major exhibition about this pair of Belgian sporting legends.”

Photos by Antton Miettinen

Jon Azkoitia has been a reader of the Radavist since the early blogspot days of PiNP and one of his favorite features is Merckx Mondays. When he began riding track bikes, it was due to his father’s love of track racing and Jon didn’t have just any introduction, he was given a Molteni-team Colnago track. For those who weren’t aware, the first few Molteni Eddy Merckx frames were made by De Rosa and Colnago before Eddy began making his own in Meise, a small town outside of Brussels.

Prior to Jon’s father, this bike was owned by Milano-SanRemo winner Michele Dancelli, who raced it for a number of years in the Molteni livery. The bike was then raced by Jon’s father for nearly 40 years! Needless to say, once Jon was handed down the frame, he felt it was time for a restoration, so Jon looked to the original heritage of the frame and did an amazing job.

See more photos below and follow Jon on his Flickr!

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Yeah, this was probably better for last week’s Merckx Mondays, due to Halloween and all, but I missed Simon’s email. Seriously though, I’m stoked he used Merckx Mondays to inspire a series of illustrations at his site, aptly named Merckx Mondays.

From time to time, enthusiasts, hobbyists and collectors get an itch. An itch to make a vintage “replica” bike, modeled after any number of liveries or teams. For Andy White of FYXO, he really, really wanted a replica Molteni.

A frame came up in Eddy’s exact measurements, 58cm TT, 60cm ST, but it was from the wrong era, so he filed off the front derailleur hanger and painted the seat stay caps to resemble Eddy’s team bike. From there, fresh paint and decals were applied by Sun Graphics. He’s even got a flat crown fork, instead of the sloping crown.

Then, well, life happened. He had a kid and has to let her go. The frame, not his daughter.

This Molteni replica is available and I thought it’d be a perfect Merckx Mondays post. Holler at FYXO for more info and head to the FYXO Flickr for more photos.

Eddy Merckx and Jacky Ickx? Sure!

In cooperation with Tijdsbeeld & Pièce Montée, 9000 studios will make the new website Mercxickx.be. Eddy Merckx and Jacky Ickx might be the greatest sports icons Belgium has ever produced. In 2015, both gentlemen are blessed with 70 candles on their birthday cake, which is celebrated with a grand exhibition.

Grand, like the careers of both gentlemen. Eddy Merckx, the best cyclist of all times, won everything there was to win, including five GC victories in the Tour de France, The Giro, The Vuelta and seven times Milaan San Remo. Jacky Ickx is one of the most complete car racers to ever press down a throttle pedal. Amongst other things, he won 8 F1 grand prixs, six times the prestigeous 24 hours of Le Mans and the Paris Dakar rally. Two international sports icons, two proud Belgians. If anyone deserve’s an exhibition, it’s them.

See more at 9000.be. Nice find, Tracko!

Vintage, black and white photos of Eddy Merckx will always be my favorite. Here’s one from 1969, Eddy racing in the TDF time trial race Revel-Revel. On his yellow jersey is the number 51, a marveled pairing of numbers in the Tour’s history.

Back then, “Champions are born with the back number 51″ was a common saying in the Peloton and with good reason. Many legends were adorned by these digits: Eddy Merckx, Louison Bobet, Bernard Thèvenet and Luis Ocana. All of which exceeded a simple win and elevated themselves into cycling’s history.

Thanks to the Flickr stream of Walter Vermeulen for this week’s Merckx Mondays!

I keep going through my hard drive and finding little gems like this. If you’ve ever seen the old Eddy Merckx Professional catalog photos, then you’ve seen this frame before. These gold-plated Merckx frames are extremely rare. So rare that this is the only one I’ve seen and it was sitting on the counter at Shifter Bikes when I visited Dan last month.

The original finish is still intact, save for where the precious owner’s sweat caused the plating to chip off. This patina tells a story and I can only hope that it’ll never have a respray.

Check out a few more photos below.
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