Van Impe rocks. He was the stud Belgian racer (post Eddy) when I was living there. Won in 1976. Perennial KoM winner, and for a Belgian, that's a big deal. Worked with Giumard. I have my own original and real Gitane-Campagnolo jersey.
Battled with Eddy and Thevenet in '75 when Eddy got punched, and in '77 when Thevenet won again.

When he won in '76, he attacked so hard in the mountains that only about 50 riders would actually make the time cut. He beat guys by over 45 minutes. Unbelievable effort. That was about half of the field.