 The day of racing was highlighted by two large solo efforts on the part of the French riders Francis Campaner and Bernard Thévenet . Campaner attacked during the race 's second lap and rode solo until being joined in the tenth lap by Gerard Vianen . The two were caught in the twelfth ciruit and shortly after their capture , Thévenet attacked on his own and rode on his own through most of the final lap . Merckx initiated a chase group during the seventeenth lap that managed to catch and pass Thévenet with seven kilometers remaining . The group then splintered into two groups of two , with Merckx and Poulidor riding into the finish together . Merckx took victory in the two @-@ man sprint . 
