David L. Johnson at wrote on 7/11/03 11:05 AM:

On Fri, 11 Jul 2003 17:25:50 +0000, Jim Edgar wrote:

I thought the kidney punch was in the Giro. He also had a lifelong battle
with a back injury from a crash on the track- in, what, 1969? - before he
won any Tours.

I think that back injury was during a motor-paced event --- I thought it
was on the road, but maybe the track, and it was after he had won at least
his first Tour.

Wasnt' sure on the exact timing of the crash, but as you state it, it sounds
correct - it was definitely a motorpaced, but I did think it was a track
event - the driver of the derney was killed. Long-time friend of Eddy's.

I stand corrected on the kidney punch - dunno how I got that in the wrong
country... maybe I'm confusing it with some of the other dust-ups in that
race.

;^)


The reference I found does not mention the back injury, but says:

I can't seem to lay my hands on it either - there are references online
he

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othe...ng/2064842.stm

.... but, I recall reading it - maybe a Cycle Sport in the batch I've passed
on.

take care,

-- Jim