A jersey worn by Belgian cycling champion Eddy Merckx jersey has been sold at auction in Brussels for €19,200, AZ Auction announced on Tuesday.
The signed jersey is from Merckx’s second world road title, won on the Mendrisio circuit in Switzerland in 1971.
A bidding war between two sports club presidents caused the initial estimate of €1,000 to €2,000 to soar to €19,200, the auction's organisers explained.
“This rainbow jersey was acquired during a charity auction in 1990 by another great Belgian champion, a contemporary of ‘The Cannibal,’ who wished to remain anonymous until now.”
