But more than a bit of poetic license.

There were 4 rated climbs that day. Merckx did not attack until the last couple of hundred meters of the next to last climb, the Tourmalet. The two previous climbs Aspin and Peyresourde were both cat 2, but the most recent time either of these was included in the tour they were cat 1.

Also not quite the risk it might seem. The one rider who did hold eddys wheel to the top was VanDenBosche, Eddys teammate. Those who understand cycling will understand the insurance that provided.

But a very interesting way to present things. I think for the true fan it could have been fluffed up a bit and a foreglimpse of the surprise given (with perhaps even more buildup). The buildup being praise of the riders decending skills (Floyd made over a minute on the final decent, as did Eddy on the Tourmalet). Then the light slowly dawning when it starts to ask if he can hold his lead on hte flat into the finish. At that point the fan would start to ask what flat into the finish? No way there was enough flat. Then introduce Merckx.

But still an excellent piece.