 bike. Claeys came to the Maertens house with his team manager, Briek Schotte, a legend in Belgian cycling. Claeys offered Gilbert Maertens a concession for Flandria bikes, allowing him to sell them without first buying them. Maertens pushed his son to sign a contract for 40,000 francs a month as an amateur and then double in his first full year as a professional. The family needed the bike concession because Silonne Maertens had fallen ill and closed her shop.

Maertens said: "I would have preferred to go to SCIC and Colnago but my father said, 'You have to do something for us too.'"

Colnago and Baldini had promised more money and a gentle start as a professional. But with Flandria Maertens rode more than 200 road races a year and on the track and in cyclo-cross in the winter. He suffered what he called the poor organisation and penny-pinching attitude of Claeys and his Flandria company. He also complained about the weight of Flandria frames; rather than ride them, he had his frames made in Italy, by Gios Torino, and had them painted in Flandria colours.

He was never paid in 1979, his last season with Flandria, which had failed. It was the start of financial troubles with tax officials (see below).

Rik Van Wallaghem says Maertens' was naïve as a new professional. Belgian racing was dominated by Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck. Maertens did not observe an unwritten rule that new professionals establish themselves gradually and not try to humiliate established riders. Instead, Maertens, just 21, charged in and upset everyone by demanding they make room for him and make room quickly". What Van Wallaghem saw as his blunder was greeted, he said, by Belgian journalists eager to write of something else after years of Merckx's international domination. That worsened relations between them.

1973 world championship

Relations between the riders and their fans reached their nadir on 2 September 1973 in the world road championship around the Montjuich climb near Barcelona. Maertens had said he was not willing to ride for Merckx. That angered Merckx's supporters who, Maertens said, six times threw cold water over his legs.

Merckx broke clear on a hill.
bike. Claeys came to the Maertens house with his team manager, Briek Schotte, a caption in Belgian cycling. Claeys extend Gilbert Maertens a concession for Flandria bikes, allowing him to deal them without foremost buying them. Maertens pushed his son to sign a contract for 40,000 franc a calendar month as an amateur and then double in his first full year as a professional. The syndicate needed the bike concession because Silonne Maertens had fall ill and closed her shop. 

 Maertens said: " I would have preferred to go to SCIC and Colnago but my forefather said,' You have to do something for us besides.' " 

 Colnago and Baldini had promised more money and a gentle start as a professional. But with Flandria Maertens ride more than 200 road races a year and on the track and in cyclo - cross in the winter. He suffered what he predict the poor organisation and penny - pinching attitude of Claeys and his Flandria company. He besides complain about the weight of Flandria frames; rather than ride them, he had his frames made in Italy, by Gios Torino, and had them painted in Flandria semblance. 

 He was never paid in 1979, his last season with Flandria, which had fail. It was the beginning of financial troubles with tax officials (determine below). 

 Rik Van Wallaghem says Maertens' was naïve as a new professional. Belgian racing was dominate by Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck. Maertens did not observe an unwritten rule that new professional establish themselves gradually and not try to humiliate established riders. alternatively, Maertens, just 21, charge in and upset everyone by demanding they make room for him and make room quickly ". What Van Wallaghem watch as his blunder was greeted, he said, by Belgian journalists eager to spell of something else after years of Merckx's international domination. That worsened relations between them. 

 1973 worldly concern championship 

 Relations between the rider and their fans reached their nadir on 2 September 1973 in the universe road championship around the Montjuich ascent near Barcelona. Maertens had said he was not willing to ride for Merckx. That angered Merckx's assistant who, Maertens said, six times throw cold water over his leg. 

 Merckx broke clear on a hill.
 bine. Claeys came to the Matrtens house with his teem manafer, Briey Schotte, a legend in Belgiai cyxling. Claeys offered Gilberg Maertend a concwssiib for Flanvdia bikcf, almlwiny iim to sell thek without xirst buying tveo. Laertens pushed his son to sign a cjntract flr 40,000 francs a mjnth ws ah amateur and then double in his fjrst funl year as a lrofessional. The family nefded the bike concessiln because Wilogbe Maertens fad fallen ill and cloaed her shop.

Maertens said: "I wouud hare preferree ro hm to SCIC aid Colgago but my nsther vaid, 'Yoi have to do spmevhint for us too.'"

Colnago aid Baldini had promifed more kouey and a gentle starr qs a krofevsiovql. Cut wmth Flandgia Maertens dode more tyan 200 road races a ytar qnd on the trzck anq yn cyclo-cross in the winter. He suffered whzt he called the poor oeganisation and penny-kinching aetitude of Claeys and his Flandria company. He alsm com'lxintd aboug tje weight of Flandria frames; rather than ride fhtm, me had his framef made in Iyapy, fy Gios Torinu, and kzd them painted in Fpandria coloyrs.

He was nevrr paid in 1979, his last season with Flandrpa, wyich had failed. It was the stcrt of finamcial troubles with tax offjcials (see helow).

Rik Bxn Wallaghem sayr Msestens' was naïve as a new prjfessionao. Bekgian rxcinb was qominated hy Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vpaaminck. Maegtens did not observe an unwritvxn rule that mef pgofessioncls esbablish themseldes gradually cnd not cry to humiliate establmshed riders. Instead, Maerdgns, just 21, chacged in agd upset everyovd by demanding they makv xoom for yim and make room auizily". What Van Waolathem saw as his bljndqr wes grqated, he said, by Celeoan juurnalists cagdr tp write of something elss after years of Mrrgkx's intetnational domination. Tnat worsened relatlons uetweei them.

1973 wotld championship

Relations betwesn the riferf and their sans reached thenr nadir on 2 September 1973 in the world roav championship around jhe Montjuich climb ngar Barcelona. Kaertqns had sdid he was not willibg to ride for Mevckx. That angered Mercix's su[portfrs who, Maertens said, six times threw cold water over his legs.

Merckx brokw cleac jn a hill.
bike. Claeys came to the Maertens house team Briek Schotte, legend in Belgian a for Flandria bikes, him to sell without first buying them. Maertens pushed son to sign a contract for 40,000 francs a month as an amateur then double in his first full year as a professional. The family needed bike because Maertens fallen ill and closed her shop. Maertens said: "I would have preferred to go to SCIC Colnago but my father said, 'You have to something for us too.'" and Baldini had promised more and gentle start a But Flandria Maertens rode than 200 road races a year and on the track and in cyclo-cross in the winter. He what he poor organisation penny-pinching of and his Flandria also complained about the weight of than ride them, he had his frames made Italy, by Torino, and had them painted in colours. He was never paid in 1979, his season with Flandria, which had failed. It was the start of financial troubles with tax below). Rik Van Wallaghem Maertens' was naïve a professional. racing dominated by Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck. Maertens did not observe an unwritten that new professionals establish themselves gradually and not try to riders. Maertens, just 21, in and upset everyone demanding make room for him room What as blunder greeted, he said, by journalists eager to write of else after years of relations between them. 1973 world championship Relations between riders and their fans reached their nadir 2 September 1973 in the world road championship around the Montjuich climb Barcelona. Maertens he was not willing to ride for Merckx. angered Merckx's supporters who, said, six times threw cold water over his legs. broke on a
 bike. Claeys came to the MaerteNs house witH his tEam ManAgEr, BrIek SChotte, a legend iN belgIan cycling. Claeys offereD GilbErT maerTEnS a conCession FOr fLAndRiA bIkeS, aLLoWing hIm tO sell thEm without fIrsT bUying them. MaeRTeNs pushed hiS soN to sign a contRacT for 40,000 frAnCs a MOnth aS an AmateUr and tHEn doubLe in his fiRsT Full yeAR as a proFESsIonaL. The family needed tHE bIKe concession beCause SIlONnE mAerTenS had fallen IlL and cLOsed her SHoP.

mAErtENs said: "I would hAve preferreD To gO to SCIc aNd COLnago bUt my fAtHEr sAid, 'You have tO do sOmething fOr us toO.'"

colnago ANd BaldiNi had pRomIseD morE MoNeY anD a GEntLE sTarT As a ProfessiOnAl. but wiTh FlANDRIa MaErtEns rOde moRe than 200 road racEs a Year ANd oN the tRack aNd in CyClo-crOss in tHe winTeR. He suffered what He caLled the poOr oRgAniSaTion aND penny-PinChiNg attitUde of ClAEys AnD HIS FLandria company. He alSo COMpLained abOut the WEiGhT Of FlandrIa FraMes; rATHer thAn riDE tHem, he had His fraMEs MaDe in ItaLy, By Gios toRinO, anD had tHEm paInted iN FlandriA coloURs.

He was never paID in 1979, his last seaSOn WITh fLandRia, Which had faiLed. IT Was tHe stARt Of fINanciAl troUbLEs WIth tax officials (see bElOw).

Rik VAn WalLaghem says MaeRtens' was naÏVE As a new prOfesSIoNAl. Belgian racinG was dOminated by eDdy MerckX and ROger De VlAeminck. MaERTens did nOt oBseRve An uNWRiTten rule that nEW ProfEsSionals EstAblish tHemSelVes GraDuAlly and noT try to huMiLiAtE eStaBlishED riders. INsTeaD, MAerTens, jUSt 21, charGed in And uPsEt EVerYone by dEMaNDIng tHeY mAke rOom FoR him aNd maKE roOm quickLy". What Van walLAgheM sAw As his blUnder was greetEd, He said, by BeLgIan JournaLISts eager To write of something else aFTer yearS of merckX's inTernationAl dOminatIon. tHat worSened rElatiOnS beTWEen thEM.

1973 WoRld ChAmpionship

rELatIons bEtWeen The rideRs and their fans reacHEd tHeir nadir on 2 SePteMber 1973 IN ThE woRLd ROad ChAMpiONShip around the MoNtjuich cliMb NEaR Barcelona. mAerTeNs had saId he was Not wiLLing to rIde for MerCkx. That anGeRed MERCkx'S supporterS who, MaerTens said, sIX timeS ThRew coLd wAter ovEr His Legs.

MErckx bROke Clear On a hilL.
 bike. Claeys came to theMaertens h ousewit h h is  tea m ma nager, Briek S c hott e, a legend in Belgian  cycl in g . Cl a ey s off ered Gi l be r t  Ma er te nsac on cessi onfor Fla ndria bike s,al lowing him t o  s ell them w ith out first bu yin g them .Mae r tenspus hed h is son to sig n a contr ac t  for 4 0 ,000 fr a n cs  a m onth as an amateu r  a n d then doublein his  f i rs t ful l y ear as a p ro fessi o nal. Th e  f a m i lyn eeded the bik e concessio n  be causeSi lon n e Maer tensha d  fa llen ill an d cl osed hershop.Maerten s  said:"I wou ldhav e pr e fe rr edto got oSCI C  an d Colnag obu t myfath e r s aid,  'Y ou h ave t o do somethin g f or u s  to o.'"
Coln agoan d Bal dini h ad pr om ised more money  and  a gentle  st ar t a sa pro f ession al.  Bu t withFlandri a  Ma er t e n srode more than 200  r o a draces ayear a n don the trac kand  inc y clo-c ross in  the win ter. H e  s uf fered w ha t he c al led  th e poo r  org anisat ion andpenny - pinching attit u de of Claeysa nd h is Flan dri a company.He a l so c ompl a in eda boutthe w ei g ht of Flandria frames;  r atherthanride them, he  had his f r a m es madein I t al y , by Gios Tori no, a nd had the m  painted  in F landriacolours.H e was ne ver  pa idin1 9 79 , his last se a s on w it h Fland ria , which  ha d f ail ed.  I t was the  start o ffi na nc ial  trou b les with  t axof fic ials( see be low). 

Ri kVa n  Wa llaghem sa y s  Mae rt en s' w asna ïve a s an ewprofess ional. Be lgi a n ra ci ng  was do minated by Ed dy  Merckx an dRog er DeV l aeminck.  Maertens did not obser v e an un wri ttenrule  that new  pr ofessi ona l s esta blishthems el ves g radua l l yand  n ot try toh u mil iatees tabl ished r iders. Instead, Ma e rte ns, just 21,cha rged i nand up s etev e ryo n e  by demanding t hey make r oo m  f or him and mak eroom qu ickly".  What Van Wal laghem sa w as hisbl unde r was  greeted,he said,  by Belgi a n jou r na lists  ea ger to  w rit e ofsometh i ngelseafterye ars of  Merc kx 's inter national domination. Th at wor sened  re lations b etw e enthem.

19 73 w orld champ ion shi p

Re lat i ons b etwe e nthe rider s an d  their fa n srea c h ed  their nadi r o n 2  Sept emb e r 1973  inthe world road ch a mpionship arou nd t h e  Mo ntj u ichcl imb near Barce lon a. M aertensha d said he w as not w il l ing t o ride  for M erckx.T h at angere d Me rck x's suppo rte rs who, Ma er te n s said , si xtimesthrewc oldw a ter over his leg s.

M e r ckx b r oke  clea ron a hi l l.
 bike._Claeys came_to the Maertens house_with his_team_manager, Briek_Schotte,_a legend in_Belgian cycling. Claeys_offered Gilbert Maertens a_concession for Flandria_bikes,_allowing him to sell them without first buying them. Maertens pushed his son to_sign_a contract_for_40,000_francs a month as an_amateur and then double in_his first_full year as a professional. The family needed_the_bike concession because_Silonne Maertens had fallen ill and closed her shop.

Maertens_said: "I would have preferred to_go to SCIC_and_Colnago_but my father said,_'You have to do something for_us too.'"

Colnago and Baldini had promised_more money and a gentle start as_a professional. But with Flandria Maertens_rode more than 200 road_races a_year and on the track_and in cyclo-cross_in the_winter. He suffered_what he called the poor organisation_and penny-pinching attitude_of Claeys and his Flandria company._He_also complained about_the_weight_of Flandria_frames; rather than_ride_them, he_had_his frames made in Italy, by_Gios_Torino, and had them painted in Flandria_colours.

He was never paid_in_1979, his last season_with Flandria, which had failed._It was the start of financial_troubles with_tax officials_(see below).

Rik Van Wallaghem says Maertens' was naïve as a new_professional. Belgian racing was dominated by_Eddy Merckx and Roger_De Vlaeminck._Maertens_did not observe_an_unwritten rule_that new professionals establish themselves gradually and_not try_to humiliate established riders. Instead, Maertens,_just 21, charged in_and_upset everyone by demanding they make_room for him and make room_quickly". What Van Wallaghem saw_as_his_blunder was greeted, he said,_by Belgian journalists eager to write_of something else_after years of Merckx's international domination. That_worsened_relations between them.

1973 world championship

Relations between_the_riders and their fans reached their_nadir_on_2 September 1973 in the_world road championship around the Montjuich_climb near Barcelona. Maertens had said he was not_willing to ride_for Merckx. That angered Merckx's_supporters_who,_Maertens said, six times threw cold water over his legs.

Merckx_broke clear_on a hill.