The two previous years had erased all doubts: Eddy Merckx wasn’t just a phenomenal and versatile classics rider, he was also a powerhouse in Grand Tours. With a Giro d’Italia and a Tour de France already to his name, he arrived at the 1970 Giro d’Italia as the undisputed favorite, facing a contingent of Italian riders ready to capitalize on any slip from the man already dubbed “The Cannibal.”

Surprisingly, the Belgian had shown some vulnerability on Stage 6, finishing in Malcesine, losing contact and over a minute to the favorites on Croce Domini. However, he managed to claw his way back on the descent and false flat, helped by his rivals’ reluctance to press their advantage. That made Stage 7, the Malcesine–Brentonico (130 km) with the tough Cima Polsa climb at the end, the perfect moment to truly assess Merckx’s condition – especially after already winning Paris–Nice, Gent–Wevelgem, Paris–Roubaix, and La Flèche Wallonne earlier that year.

Anyone expecting a breakdown was sorely disappointed. Merckx not only held his ground – on the gravel section of the Cima Polsa climb, the Belgian launched a solo attack, leaving behind a cloud of dust and a group of rivals who could only regret not having attacked him the day before. Even after a flat tire on the descent, Merckx claimed victory by 12 seconds over Martin Vandenbossche and 44 seconds over his teammate Italo Zilioli, reclaiming the Maglia Rosa – which he had first worn in 1968 and briefly again in 1969, before being disqualified that year.

From that point on, Merckx would never relinquish the leadership symbol. He went on to win the Treviso time trial two days later and calmly controlled the second half of the Giro. At the grand finale in Bolzano, Merckx celebrated his second of five Giro d’Italia victories.