Freddy Maertens

Freddy Maertens ( born February 13, 1952 in Lombardsijde ) is a former Belgian cyclist.

Maertens was in the 1970s as the world's best sprinter, took it in his long career from 1972 to 1985 to a total of 142 professional victories. With the victory at the Tour of Spain and in Paris-Nice (both in 1977 ), he also won two major tours, otherwise he was one of the most successful hunters in stage tours. At the Tour de France, he won a total of 15 stages and got 1976, 1978 and 1981, three times the green jersey the most points. 1976 alone he won the prologue and seven stages. He went in 1981 as he won six stages A similarly successful tour. As successful as he was at the Tour de France, he could never win one of the monuments of cycling in his career. Maertens is also the record holder in Four Days of Dunkirk, winning this stage race in 1973, 1975, 1976 and 1978. Gent- Wevelgem race too, he could decide for himself in 1976.

Even with the road bike World Cup he was very successful: in 1974 he became vice-champion in 1976 and 1981, he was able to win the title.

Freddy Maertens was repeatedly found guilty of doping with pemoline, so in 1977 at Flèche Wallonne and the Tour of Flanders. He was therefore downgraded or disqualified.