A jersey formerly belonging to Belgian cycling champion Eddy Merckx has been auctioned for 19,200 euros in Brussels. The price paid has just been released by auction house AZ Auction.
Merckx wore the jersey that he has since autographed during the 1971 world cycling championships, in Mendrisio in Switzerland. It is here that he won the World Cup for the second time.
During the auction, the presidents of two sports clubs pushed up the price of the jersey, the auctioneers said.
‘The rainbow jersey was bought at a charity auction in 1990 by another great Belgian champion, a contemporary of ‘the Cannibal’ as Eddy Merckx is often called. This rider wishes to remain anonymous.