He was twice world professional road race champion .
Was the first cyclist to win all five of the most prestigious one - day classics -- a feat since achieved by just two others ( both also Belgians : Roger De Vlaeminck and Eddy Merckx ) .
He was twice world professional road race champion , and was the first cyclist to win all five of the most prestigious one - day classics -- a feat since achieved by just two others ( both also Belgians : Roger De Vlaeminck and Eddy Merckx ) .