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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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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Eddy Merckx undergoes heart surgery
Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx recovering in hospital after 'minor' heart operation
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Muur van Geraardsbergen: cycling's iconic places
The Muur van Geraardsbergen is the most famous climb of the Tour of Flanders
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Mark Cavendish: 'To be mentioned with Hinault and Merckx, I never could have dreamed of it'
Mark Cavendish says he can't compare himself to Bernard Hinault, whose tally of 28 stage wins the Manxman equalled on Monday
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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 corruption case dropped by Belgian authorities
Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx will not faces charges over allegations he was involved in bribing police.
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Eddy Merckx in 10 questions
To mark the great man's birthday earlier week, we want to see how well you know The Cannibal in this week's cycling quiz
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Merckx: Froome will win the Tour again as he has no real rivals
Five-time Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx doesn't believe Chris Froome has any real challengers for the 2016 yellow jersey
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Tour de France route rumours: 2015 stage finish to commemorate Eddy Merckx’s defeat
Rumour has it that the ski village of Pra-Loup will host the finale of stage 20 of the 2015 Tour de France
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Iconic Places: The Forest of Arenberg
The stretch of cobbles through the Arenberg Forest, in Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix, is the most decisive and spectacular of the day. Cycle Sport’s Iconic Places series covered it in April 2009.
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Eddy Merckx calls for lifetime bans for motorised dopers
Eddy Merckx weighs in on the latest scandal to hit cycling
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Eddy Merckx and the 1975 Tour de France
We take a look back at one of the highlights of Eddy Merckx's illustrious career
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Eddy Merckx: 'The conditions at the Doha World Championships are not impossible'
Eddy Merckx says the weather in Qatar will not affect the UCI road World Championships this week, claiming the road races next weekend will not be shortened
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Icons of cycling: the Rainbow Jersey
The Rainbow Jersey: there’s magic behind this combination of five colours
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Twitter wishes Eddy Merckx a happy birthday
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How they used to train: Eddy Merckx's chain gang
He might have been the greatest male road racer ever, but Eddy Merckx also built one of the best teams ever. So how did prepare them to race?
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Eddy Merckx released from hospital following bike crash
The cycling legend had been hospitalised after a fall during a Sunday ride with friends
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Eddy Merckx: 'Britain has always had great riders, now it's got great champions'
Cycling legend Eddy Merckx is relishing seeing Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish in action together at Six Day London - By Frank Smith
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"It would be great to see Froome on the track," says Merckx
Cycling legend Eddy Merckx thinks two-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome could benefit from winter track riding
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Who is the world's greatest cyclist? Here's what you thought
We asked you who you thought was the greatest cyclist that the world has ever seen, and here's what you said...
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Eddy Merckx: Having disc brakes in the peloton is irresponsible
Eddy Merckx says having disc brakes in the peloton is 'irresponsible' and 'life-threatening' in an interview with Sporza
