Both Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and Eddy Merckx were amongst the sportspeople recently honoured in Paris by L’Equipe.
Ferrand-Prevot was awarded French Sportsperson of the Year and the woman from Reims had an excellent season. Apart from winning the World Road Race title, she also won French Road, TT and cyclo-cross championships, U23 European XC Championship, Emakumeen Euskal Bira overall and La Flèche Wallonne amongst other races.
Merckx received hs award, the Champion des Champions de légende, from another former Belgian sportsman, footballer Enzo Scifo.
Afterwards, Merckx told L’Equipe, “I am very moved by this award. I received a lot of trophies but this one goes straight to my heart. The term “legend” touches me. Do I have a special connection with the French public? Absolutely! I think it is because I have always fought to win and finally I was beaten by Bernard Thevenet the 1975 Tour de France!
