Many consider Eddy Merckx to not only be the finest rider of his generation, but also the finest rider in the history of professional cycle racing.
In the mountains, on the flat, in sprints, on the cobbles - whatever the terrain, 'The Cannibal' showed no weakness. Merckx belongs to an elite club of riders who have won the Tour de France five times, and he holds the record for the most Tour stage wins: 34. He also won the Giro d'Italia five times, and the Vuelta a España once.
Merckx conquered every major one-day race, with victories in Paris-Roubaix, Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the Tour of Lombardy and the world championships.
Merckx's involvement with cycling continued after his retirement from racing in 1978, with his eponymously-named bicycle company, his involvement with race organisation and as an ambassador for the sport.
For a list of Merckx's victories, visit the Eddy Merckx Rider Profile page.
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Is Tadej Pogačar the GOAT?
Tadej Pogačar has won his fourth Tour de France, but has he done enough to cement his status as the greatest of all time? Chris Marshall-Bell weighs the arguments for and against
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Eddy Merckx hospitalised after bike crash
79-year-old cycling legend required to undergo surgery on broken hip
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Coppi, Pantani, Van Vleuten, Pogačar: A look at the Giro-Tour double winners club
Tadej Pogačar has now officially joined the club, becoming the eighth man to achieve one of professional cycling’s most sought after accolades
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It took 52 years for someone to beat Merckx's Tour de France record - could anyone come close to taking it from Mark Cavendish?
Tadej Pogačar has 12 stage wins - but it would take eight more years at this current rate to beat Cavendish
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'Such a nice guy to break my record' - Eddy Merckx congratulates Mark Cavendish on his historical achievement
Greatness recognizes greatness, and there is absolutely no respect lost between cycling legends Eddy Merckx and Mark Cavendish.
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Eddy Merckx 'wouldn't have had a problem' with Cavendish beating his Tour de France stage victory record
The 'Manx Missile' equalled the great Belgian's record at the Grand Boucle as he won four stages
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'He turned pro too early': Eddy Merckx just can't stop commenting on Evenepoel
The cycling legend has happily voiced his opinion on the young Belgian multiple times during the rider's short career
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'I think he can do better than me': Eddy Merckx heaps praise on Tadej Pogačar
Belgian legend expects Pogačar to surpass his record in some races
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'My respect and appreciation for him is enormous, apparently is not mutual': Remco Evenepoel responds to Eddy Merckx's comments
Merckx recently spoke out against the young Belgians selection for the World Championships road race
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Eddy Merckx says that if Belgium have one leader for World Championships Evenepoel should not ride
The Belgian cycling legend has said that the young talent is not fit to ride in a support role for Wout van Aert
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Pra-Loup 1975: Merckx vs Thévenet (video)
As the Tour de France visits Pra-Loup for the first time in 35 years, here's a look back at the climb's most famous moment.
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Eddy Merckx in hospital with head injury after bike crash
Merckx's wife says his condition is good, but when he can leave hospital is not yet clear
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Eddy Merckx interview
We take a look back through the Cycle Sport archives for an interview with Merckx from 2004
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Merckx backs Contador's Giro-Tour bid; Sky's Lopez not sure it will go ahead
Eddy Merckx says there's no reason why Alberto Contador can't win both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in the same season
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Eddy Merckx: the man behind the legend
Winner of over 500 races, era-defining rider, son of a grocer and a grandfather just turned 71. Who is the real Eddy Merckx?
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Merckx: Bradley Wiggins 'cannot afford to fail' in Hour Record ride
Wiggins will risk his reputation if he takes on the Hour, says Eddy Merckx
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Eddy Merckx's former coach dies aged 94
Cycling great Eddy Merckx has returned to Belgium from the Tour of Oman after learning of the death of his father-in-law and former coach Lucien Acou
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Eddy Merckx presents Doha World Championships course
Organisers aim to utilise Qatar's windy conditions to make 2016 edition a challenge for elite teams and riders
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Icons of cycling: Tom Simpson's Peugeot chequered jersey
The word ‘chequer’ is derived from the Persian ‘shah’ or king, so it’s entirely appropriate that the Peugeot jersey was worn by cycling royalty in its 23-year existence
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The greatest Flanders win ever? How does Philippe Gilbert’s 55km solo ride measure against the greats?
Philippe Gilberts solo slog to victory at the Tour of Flandes was Merckx-esque in its daring nature, but was it the best victory in the race's history?
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'Doctors don't know what happened' as Eddy Merckx continues recovery from fall
The Belgian is still not yet one hundred per cent better after his accident in October
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Eddy Merckx suffered haemorrhage during crash and will remain in hospital for next few days
The 74-year-old was taking part in his regular Sunday bike ride with friends before falling
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Eddy Merckx Cycles reports multi-million euro loss in 2016
Eddy Merckx Cycles increased its sales but reported a loss of income, attributing it to less people buying bikes.
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Eddy Merckx rates tough Qatar World Champs course
Cycling legend Eddy Merckx says that windy conditions and a technical course will make the 2016 World Championships in Doha, Qatar, a spectacle
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Eddy Merckx could be charged over allegations he bribed a police official
Eddy Merckx could be sent to prison for two years if found guilty of corruption.
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Who has spent the most days in the yellow jersey in Tour de France history?
Chris Froome sits fifth in the list of riders with the most number of days in yellow at the Tour de France, and he has a long way to go to reach the top
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How they used to train: Eddy Merckx’s pre-1969 Tour de France week
How the Cannibal trained to get ready for his first Tour de France win in the 1969 edition of the race
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AG2R to ride Eddy Merckx bikes next season
A legendary name returns to the WorldTour
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Eddy Merckx undergoes heart surgery
Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx recovering in hospital after 'minor' heart operation
