“Belgian Eddy Merckx, one of the greatest cyclists in history had so serious heart problem that he should never have to race on a bike” – says Italian cardiologist in just published biography of a famous athlete.
The book “Eddy Merckx, The Cannibal” by a Briton Daniel Friebe, contain sensational thesis: the famous cyclist throughout his all career started in races unaware of the mortal danger, which was a heart defect. Five-time Tour de France winner was surprised by the book’s thesis. – I always knew that I have a unusually big heart. I also know that heart problems often occurred in my father’s family. My dad and uncles died at a young age – said Merckx.
Eddy Merckx is regarded by many experts as the most outstanding cyclist in history, who is incomparable to today’s champions, as he won both the long multistage and the classic races. He was called “The Cannibal” because he was known for “voracity” on successes and “devouring” of his rivals. The most important of his triumphs include: five victories in the Tour de France (in a period from 1969 to 1974), five in Giro d’Italia (in years 1968 to 1974), one in Vuelta a Espana (1973), four world champion titles (one earned as an amateur, three as a professional), seven victories in Milan-San Remo, five in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and three in Paris-Roubaix.
In the book of Daniel Friebe “Eddy Merckx, The Cannibal” you may also find out that cycling is a specific sport in which a player can ride thousands of kilometers on a bike throughout his career and not win a single race.
What, then, determines that someone else win over 500 of them? Lung capacity, length of the thigh bone, help of teammates, or something entirely different?
Veni Vidi Vici – a new Polish publishing house that by claiming a sentence as the motto “I came, I saw, I conquered” wants to give books into the hands of readers that tell stories of people whose lives were a struggle to overcome weaknesses, discovering new opportunities, fight and tasting victory. Books that will introduce extraordinary people, their biographies and achievements. The stories that will be a fascinating read, and perhaps also become an inspiration to break down the barriers of one’s abilities and not giving up in the face of difficulties that sometimes appear in life.
More information: Veni Vidi Vici