It was Coppi who inspired Eddy to take up cycling.
Prior to that Eddy was training to be a boxer (I wonder how far he would have progressed at that sport).
One evening, as a young boy, he went to see a criterium in Bslgium (I think it was in Brussels) and saw Coppi riding.
There and then Eddy said he decided to ride the bike seriously.
So indirectly we have Coppi to thank for Merckx!
Prior to that Eddy was training to be a boxer (I wonder how far he would have progressed at that sport).
One evening, as a young boy, he went to see a criterium in Bslgium (I think it was in Brussels) and saw Coppi riding.
There and then Eddy said he decided to ride the bike seriously.
So indirectly we have Coppi to thank for Merckx!