The Warmth of a Hopeful Sunbeam: The Unforgettable Year of Capri Sonne-Merckx
July 21, 1982 – on Belgium’s National Holiday, the modest Capri Sonne – Campagnolo – Merckx team experiences its greatest triumph. Dressed in the iconic blue and orange kit, Peter Winnen breaks away on the Col de Joux Plane and dives into Morzine, delivering a legendary Tour de France stage victory for the team. Just a year later, the squad disappears from the peloton, but its fruity aftertaste still lingers to this day.
Capri Sonne had evolved from the team that partnered with IJsboerke in 1980 under the leadership of Walter Godefroot. Two years on, it joined forces with Eddy Merckx Bikes, with Patrick Lefevere stepping in as assistant sports director alongside Godefroot. Lefevere had already cut his teeth with Marc Zeepcentrale, but at Capri Sonne, he gained the experience that would mark the start of a legendary career—one that would see him rise to become The Godfather of cycling.
Among the riders, Ronald De Witte boasted the most decorated palmarès. Yet his best days were behind him, and that season would be his last as a professional. Interestingly, the team also included riders who would later become major figures in the sport: Rudy Pevenage and Theo De Rooij, both of whom would go on to become influential team directors.
Capri Sonne had evolved from the team that partnered with IJsboerke in 1980 under the leadership of Walter Godefroot. Two years on, it joined forces with Eddy Merckx Bikes, with Patrick Lefevere stepping in as assistant sports director alongside Godefroot. Lefevere had already cut his teeth with Marc Zeepcentrale, but at Capri Sonne, he gained the experience that would mark the start of a legendary career—one that would see him rise to become The Godfather of cycling.
Among the riders, Ronald De Witte boasted the most decorated palmarès. Yet his best days were behind him, and that season would be his last as a professional. Interestingly, the team also included riders who would later become major figures in the sport: Rudy Pevenage and Theo De Rooij, both of whom would go on to become influential team directors.
Dutch Glory Days
Riding on Eddy Merckx’s steel frames, the team delivered unexpectedly strong performances that season. Rudy Pevenage reached the podium at the Tour of Flanders, while Gregor Braun did the same at Paris-Roubaix and the Amstel Gold Race, after already claiming victory in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. By the time the 69th Tour de France rolled out from Basel, the season was already a success.
A year earlier, Peter Winnen had captured hearts with his unforgettable win on Alpe d’Huez, finishing fifth overall. In the 1982 edition, he would go one better, thanks largely to his heroic ride into Morzine. It was a golden era for Dutch cycling: that day he beat Johan van der Velde, and after the stage, the Dutch trio of Winnen, Van der Velde, and Joop Zoetemelk occupied three of the top four positions overall.
After that stellar season, Campagnolo moved on to team up with TI–Raleigh, which would later evolve into Panasonic. Eddy Merckx Bikes rejoined the team and enjoyed more unforgettable moments in 1986 and 1987. Both Winnen and his former rival Van der Velde were part of this immensely talented squad. Cycling fans still cherish memories of that iconic team, which inspired the Retrosonic, an Eddy Merckx bike design that pays homage to this golden era. In 2024, we sold hundreds of bikes featuring that vintage look.
The bond with Capri Sonne endures, especially thanks to the brand’s strong social commitment. The juice company partners with War Child to support children whose lives are torn apart by war. In other words, that hopeful sunbeam shines not only in Capri Sonne’s fruit drinks but also in its humanitarian mission. At Eddy Merckx Bikes, we fully embrace this dream—to create a world where every child can dream, laugh, and play freely.
A year earlier, Peter Winnen had captured hearts with his unforgettable win on Alpe d’Huez, finishing fifth overall. In the 1982 edition, he would go one better, thanks largely to his heroic ride into Morzine. It was a golden era for Dutch cycling: that day he beat Johan van der Velde, and after the stage, the Dutch trio of Winnen, Van der Velde, and Joop Zoetemelk occupied three of the top four positions overall.
After that stellar season, Campagnolo moved on to team up with TI–Raleigh, which would later evolve into Panasonic. Eddy Merckx Bikes rejoined the team and enjoyed more unforgettable moments in 1986 and 1987. Both Winnen and his former rival Van der Velde were part of this immensely talented squad. Cycling fans still cherish memories of that iconic team, which inspired the Retrosonic, an Eddy Merckx bike design that pays homage to this golden era. In 2024, we sold hundreds of bikes featuring that vintage look.
The bond with Capri Sonne endures, especially thanks to the brand’s strong social commitment. The juice company partners with War Child to support children whose lives are torn apart by war. In other words, that hopeful sunbeam shines not only in Capri Sonne’s fruit drinks but also in its humanitarian mission. At Eddy Merckx Bikes, we fully embrace this dream—to create a world where every child can dream, laugh, and play freely.
