Eddy Merckx is often regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time. The Belgian dominated the sport in the 1960s and 1970s, winning nearly everything there was to win. His nickname “The Cannibal” says it all: he had an insatiable hunger for victory. Here are 15 fascinating facts about this cycling legend.
1. He was drawn to cycling from a young age
Eddy Merckx was born on June 17, 1945, in Meensel-Kiezegem, Belgium. He got his first racing bike at the age of eight, and it quickly became clear he had talent. In 1961, he won his first race as a junior, and from that moment on, he was unstoppable.
2. His nickname “The Cannibal” came from a teammate
Merckx was known for wanting to win everything, regardless of the race or the competition. His teammate Christian Raymond gave him the nickname “The Cannibal” because he showed no mercy and was always hungry for the next win.
3. He won the Tour de France five times
Merckx won the Tour de France in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1974. He didn’t just dominate the general classification, but also took the points and mountains jerseys and won numerous stages. In 1969, he became the first rider ever to win the yellow (overall), green (points), and polka dot (mountains) jerseys in the same Tour.
4. He also won the Giro d’Italia five times
In addition to his impressive Tour victories, Merckx also won the Giro d’Italia five times (1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, and 1974). In total, he claimed 24 stage wins in the Giro, further cementing his place among cycling’s greats.
5. He never won the Vuelta
Although he won nearly everything, the Vuelta a España is not on his palmarès. Merckx only rode the Vuelta once, in 1973, finishing second behind Luis Ocaña. Still, he remains one of the most successful riders in history—even without that win.
6. He broke the hour record in 1972
On October 25, 1972, Merckx broke the prestigious cycling hour record in Mexico City. He covered 49.431 kilometers in one hour—a record that stood for 12 years.
7. He won 525 races in his career
Merckx won a total of 525 official races—a record that still stands. This is all the more impressive considering he dominated both one-day classics and grand tours alike.
8. He won all five Monuments
The Monuments are the five most important one-day races: Milan–San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris–Roubaix, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and the Tour of Lombardy. Merckx won them all, which is an exceptional achievement.
9. He was kicked out of the Giro in 1969 after a controversial doping test
During the 1969 Giro d’Italia, Merckx was disqualified after a positive doping test. To this day, he insists he never used banned substances and that it was a setup to eliminate him from the race. The affair remains one of the controversies of his career.
10. His hunger for victory sometimes put him in danger
During the 1975 Tour de France, Merckx was punched by a spectator during a mountain stage. Despite the pain and a broken jaw, he continued to ride, but couldn’t prevent Bernard Thévenet from taking the overall win.
11. He retired in 1978, exhausted by his own success
After more than 15 years at the highest level, Merckx was physically and mentally drained. He announced his retirement in 1978, marking the end of an era in cycling.
12. He started his own bike brand
After retiring, Merckx founded Eddy Merckx Cycles, a company known for high-quality racing bikes. His brand became one of the most respected names in the cycling world.
13. His son Axel Merckx also became a cyclist
Axel Merckx followed in his father’s footsteps and became a professional cyclist. Though he didn’t have a career like his father’s, he did win a Tour de France stage and a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games.
14. He received Belgium’s highest honor
In recognition of his achievements and contributions to Belgian sports history, Merckx was awarded the title of Grand Cross in the Order of the Crown in 1996—one of Belgium’s highest honors.
15. His record number of Tour stage wins was broken in 2023
For years, Merckx held the record for most Tour de France stage wins with 34. In 2023, that record was broken by Mark Cavendish. Nevertheless, Merckx remains an undisputed legend thanks to his dominance and versatility.
Eddy Merckx is more than just a cyclist; he is a symbol of dominance, determination, and passion for the sport. His remarkable achievements and the way he inspired generations of riders make him undoubtedly the greatest cyclist of all time. Even years after his retirement, his influence is still deeply felt in the world of cycling.
