No list of great cycling’s achievements will ever be complete without The Cannibal who simply won almost every prize the sport had to offer during his illustrious career.

His first Paris-Roubaix win arrived in 1968, one year after being among those beaten inside the velodrome by Janssen.

He then became Janssen’s successor in the yellow jersey too, winning it four times between 1969 and 1972 before adding his fifth in 1974. A 34-time stage winner, he also won Paris-Roubaix twice more in 1970 and 1973.

Also a three-time world champion, five-time Giro d’Italia champion and former Vuelta a Espana winner, Merckx’s first Tour victory included a huge solo ride on stage 17, riding alone to victory for 140km.

His victory in the general classification, points classification and mountains classification in 1969 has – like many more of his achievements – never been matched in Tour de France history.