Eddy Merckx

EDDY MERCKX

Eddy Merckx was born in Meensel-Kiezegem (Belgium) on 17 June 1945.
He is considered by many to be the greatest cyclist of all-time and was known as “The cannibal” because he refused to ride tactically: he wanted to win every race he participated.
His career started in 1961. Three years later he became the world champion in the amateur
category , before turning professional in 1965.
In 1966 he won the first of seven editions of the race “Milaan – San Remo”.
A year later he became the world champion in the professional category in The Netherlands
and would win this title twice more.
In the same year he married Claudine Acou. They had two children : a daughter (Sabrina) and a son (Axel) who also became a professional cyclist.
In his Tour de France debut in 1969 he immediately won the yellow jersey (overall leader),
the green jersey (best sprinter) and red polka – dotted jersey (best climber in the mountains).
So he became a national hero.
He has also an impressive list of victories in one-day races and also set the bicycle hour speed
record in 1972.
Merckx stopped racing in 1978 at the age of 33.
After his career he started a bicycle factory in Meise and was the coach of the Belgian national cycling team during the mid-90’s.
In1996 the king gave him the title of baron and in 2000 he was chosen Belgian Sports Figure
of the Century.
Every year he organizes the time trial “The Big Prize Eddy Merckx”.
A station in the Brussels metro is named in his honour.
Recently he underwent an operation and took up recreative cycling again.