Eddy Merckx

published 7 May 2021

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.

The Belgian won pretty much everything there was to win - and often many times over. From Grand Tours to Classics, Merckx amassed a total of 525 victories in a career that spanned the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s.

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.

'It's complete nonsense' – Tadej Pogačar dismisses Eddy Merckx comparisons as he targets fifth Tour de France

World champion says he doesn't think 'too much' about records

6 Comments

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'Nomadic dreamer': former Milan-San Remo winner passes away aged 83

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Do take the Tadej Pogačar vs Eddy Merckx argument with a pinch of salt, as a 70s star swings for the Slovenian, again

Roger De Vlaeminck says Pogačar 'isn't even close to Merckx's toes'

By James Shrubsall Published 10 November 25

11 Comments
Tadej Pogačar 'vastly superior' to Eddy Merckx, says retiring WorldTour star – for reasons you might not have thought of

There is little doubt in Michael Woods's mind who is best between the Cannibal and Pogi

By James Shrubsall Published 24 October 25

10 Comments
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

By Chris Marshall-Bell Last updated 27 July 25

8 Comments

Eddy Merckx hospitalised after bike crash

79-year-old cycling legend required to undergo surgery on broken hip

By Tom Davidson Published 9 December 24

3 Comments
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

By Tom Thewlis Published 22 July 24
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

By Adam Becket Published 4 July 24

'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.

By Anne-Marije Rook Published 3 July 24
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

By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published 10 December 21
'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

By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published 10 December 21

'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

By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published 12 October 21
'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

By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published 24 September 21
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

By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published 22 September 21

Eddy Merckx released from hospital following bike crash

The cycling legend had been hospitalised after a fall during a Sunday ride with friends

By Jonny Long Published 20 October 19
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

By Jonny Long Published 14 October 19
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.

By Dani Ostanek Published 22 July 15

Eddy Merckx interview

We take a look back through the Cycle Sport archives for an interview with Merckx from 2004

By Cycling Weekly Published 17 June 10
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

By Stuart Clarke Published 13 February 15
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?

By Richard Abraham Published 17 June 16

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

By Gregor Brown Published 3 February 15
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

By Gregor Brown Published 16 February 16
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

By Gregor Brown Published 7 February 15

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

By Simon Smythe Published 16 June 15
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?

By Gregor Brown Published 3 April 17
'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

By Jonny Long Published 5 December 19

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

By Jonny Long Published 15 October 19
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.

By Chris Marshall-Bell Published 29 March 17
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

By Gregor Brown Published 9 February 15

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