The exploits of “The Professor”: challenger and ambassador of Eddy Merckx
British rider Chris Boardman is considered one of the greatest time trialists of all time. During his career, he had a special connection with Eddy Merckx. Between 1995 and 1998, he was both challenger of the Cannibal and ambassador of our namesake. High time for a fitting tribute!
Although Merseyside is best known in the sports world for its football derby, the region has also produced fine cycling talent. Young Chris rode his first bike races at the age of 13 and only three years later became national champion. He was especially gifted against the clock, which became clear when he broke the national 25-mile record. After winning the British title over this distance five times in a row and taking four consecutive wins at the Hill Climb Championship, the time was ripe for a professional contract.
In 1993, Boardman joined the French team Gan. His first pro victory could hardly be more symbolic: the GP Eddy Merckx. A year later, he was already wearing yellow after winning the Tour prologue. Later that year, he also took the world time trial title in Catania, Italy. In 1995, the team switched to Eddy Merckx bikes. Gan would ride Merckx machines for four seasons and claim major victories.
Although Merseyside is best known in the sports world for its football derby, the region has also produced fine cycling talent. Young Chris rode his first bike races at the age of 13 and only three years later became national champion. He was especially gifted against the clock, which became clear when he broke the national 25-mile record. After winning the British title over this distance five times in a row and taking four consecutive wins at the Hill Climb Championship, the time was ripe for a professional contract.
In 1993, Boardman joined the French team Gan. His first pro victory could hardly be more symbolic: the GP Eddy Merckx. A year later, he was already wearing yellow after winning the Tour prologue. Later that year, he also took the world time trial title in Catania, Italy. In 1995, the team switched to Eddy Merckx bikes. Gan would ride Merckx machines for four seasons and claim major victories.
Flying Scotsman versus The Professor
Boardman won the Tour de France prologue in both 1997 and 1998. To this day, these victories remain the fastest stages ever recorded in the history of la Grande Boucle. His second success was unfortunately short-lived: on stage 2, he crashed in the yellow jersey and was forced to abandon. Triumph and tragedy were never far apart for Boardman in the Tour, which he often had to leave due to bad luck. Yet during the Merckx era he was successful elsewhere too, collecting stage wins in the Dauphiné, the Tour of Catalonia, the Tour of Romandy and Paris–Nice, as well as an Olympic bronze medal in Atlanta and overall victory in the Critérium International. Still, during this period he was also increasingly obsessed with another mythical challenge: the Hour Record.
In the 1990s, Graeme Obree and Chris Boardman fought for the title of fastest man on two wheels. The duel between the Flying Scotsman and The Professor (a nickname Boardman earned thanks to his meticulous attention to every detail of the sport) became a remarkable chapter in cycling history—especially as both athletes used extraordinary machines. Obree came with improvised creations nicknamed “the washing machine bike” and with innovative riding positions such as “the Superman” and the “praying mantis” stance. When Miguel Indurain and Tony Rominger also entered the battle, Boardman appeared to have the upper hand with his 56.375 km on the Manchester Velodrome in 1996. One special spectator that day was Eddy Merckx himself, witnessing how Boardman broke the Hour Record on his bike for the third time.
In the 1990s, Graeme Obree and Chris Boardman fought for the title of fastest man on two wheels. The duel between the Flying Scotsman and The Professor (a nickname Boardman earned thanks to his meticulous attention to every detail of the sport) became a remarkable chapter in cycling history—especially as both athletes used extraordinary machines. Obree came with improvised creations nicknamed “the washing machine bike” and with innovative riding positions such as “the Superman” and the “praying mantis” stance. When Miguel Indurain and Tony Rominger also entered the battle, Boardman appeared to have the upper hand with his 56.375 km on the Manchester Velodrome in 1996. One special spectator that day was Eddy Merckx himself, witnessing how Boardman broke the Hour Record on his bike for the third time.
A graceful farewell
Near the end of his career, the UCI wiped out Boardman’s life’s work by declaring all Hour Records set on special bikes invalid. Boardman refused to accept this and returned to the Manchester track on a replica of Merckx’s machine. He fought for an hour against the time of the grandmaster and ultimately surpassed his predecessor by barely ten meters. In doing so, he found peace in his farewell.
Boardman’s Hour Record would eventually fall. Ondřej Sosenka was the first to surpass him. When the UCI once again allowed time trial bikes in 2014 (this time within the rules), top riders returned to chase the honour. Jens Voigt was the first to beat Sosenka’s mark, followed by Rohan Dennis, Bradley Wiggins and the current record holder Filippo Ganna. Covering 56.792 km, Ganna surpassed Boardman’s best performance.
Boardman’s achievements today form part of the collective memory of every cycling fan. In 2010, he earned a place in the British Cycling Hall of Fame, having previously been named Member of the Order of the British Empire. With Boardman Bikes, he transformed his passion into his profession, and he also works in rider advocacy and media. Boardman shows that cycling history is written when exceptional riders choose exceptional bikes—a principle that has defined the Eddy Merckx brand since its very beginning.
Image credit: Photo News
Boardman’s Hour Record would eventually fall. Ondřej Sosenka was the first to surpass him. When the UCI once again allowed time trial bikes in 2014 (this time within the rules), top riders returned to chase the honour. Jens Voigt was the first to beat Sosenka’s mark, followed by Rohan Dennis, Bradley Wiggins and the current record holder Filippo Ganna. Covering 56.792 km, Ganna surpassed Boardman’s best performance.
Boardman’s achievements today form part of the collective memory of every cycling fan. In 2010, he earned a place in the British Cycling Hall of Fame, having previously been named Member of the Order of the British Empire. With Boardman Bikes, he transformed his passion into his profession, and he also works in rider advocacy and media. Boardman shows that cycling history is written when exceptional riders choose exceptional bikes—a principle that has defined the Eddy Merckx brand since its very beginning.
Image credit: Photo News
