Originally Posted by Keith99
Actually he won the 69 Tour by 17'54". Doubtful that Martin VandenBosche cared much about mountian points as he finished out of the top 3 in that category. In any case Eddy taking off hardly hurt him in htat aspect as Martin was second over that peak and would have had more freedom to pick off points on the next. Also from a tactical standpoint having a loyal VandenBosche in the chasing group would be very important. If Eddy tries to outride 6 riders and they catch and pass him he could be in big trouble losing significant time all the way to the end of the stage. But with a loyal teammate in group he would instead of working alone be working with the freshest man on the road.
Finally it seems a bit strange that Eddy would follow him to Moltini just one year later if he was so upset.
It was Eddy himself who said that he did it to get back at Bossche and to take mountain points from him. And it WAS a risk to go 81 miles early since there were 4 tough climbs still ahead and going one man against the Peleton could potentially have left him burned out and the peleton passing him and taking chunks of time.