| Born | February 13, 1952 in Nieuwpoort, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Sport | Road bicycle racing |
| Professional career | 1972-1987 |
| Teams | Flandria (1972-1976), Maertens-Raleigh (1977-1978), Miko-Mercier (1979-1980), Splendor-Wickes (1981), Coop-Mercier (1982), Europ Decor-Boule d’Or (1983), Panasonic (1984-1985), AD Renting (1986), Weinmann (1987) |
| Major wins | World Road Race Champion (1976, 1981), Paris-Nice (1976, 1977), Tour of Flanders (1977), Gent-Wevelgem (1975, 1976, 1977), Amstel Gold Race (1976), Vuelta a España (1977), Giro d’Italia (1978), Tour de France (1976, 1978), 15 stages in Grand Tours |
Born in Nieuwpoort, Belgium, on February 13, 1952, Freddy Maertens is a retired road cyclist from Belgium. With the Flandria team, he made his professional racing debut in 1972, and he swiftly rose to become one of the world’s best racers.
Maertens was renowned for being a versatile racer who could triumph in sprints, time trials, and uphill events. He won important competitions like Paris-Nice, the Tour of Flanders, Gent-Wevelgem, and the Amstel Gold Race in addition to the World Road Race Championships in 1976 and 1981. In addition, he took first place in the Giro d’Italia in 1978, the Vuelta a España in 1977, and the Tour de France twice in 1976 and 1978.
Maertens’ career was plagued by a number of setbacks and injuries, including a serious crash in the 1981 Tour de France that necessitated his withdrawal from the competition. Notwithstanding these difficulties, he continued to be a well-liked and recognized figure in the cycling community, known for his tenacity and competitive spirit.
Maertens stopped competing in professional cycling in 1987, although he continued to be active in the industry as a television commentator and team manager for numerous teams.
The greatest accomplishments of Freddy Maertens:
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 1976 | World Road Race Champion |
| 1976 | Paris-Nice winner |
| 1977 | Tour of Flanders winner |
| 1977 | Gent-Wevelgem winner |
| 1977 | Vuelta a España winner |
| 1978 | Giro d’Italia winner |
| 1978 | Tour de France winner |
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