Eddy Merckx

Baron Eddy Merckx /'merks/ (born Edouard Louis Joseph Merckx on June 17, 1945 in Meensel-Kiezegem, Belgium) is considered by many to be the greatest cyclist of the 20th century and arguably of all-time. He is the five-time champion of the two most important races in professional cycling, the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia, is one of only four cyclists to have won all three of the Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España) in a career, and one of only two men to have won the Triple Crown of Cycling (the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and the World Cycling Championship in the same year). In his 13 year professional career, Merckx entered 1582 road races and won 525?a winning rate of 35.5%. http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/8230.0.html, and is one of only three riders (all Belgian) to have won all five Classic cycle races at least once during his career. He also won the season-long Super Prestige Pernod International competition a record seven consecutive times.

Related Topics:
June 17 - 1945 - Belgium - Cyclist - Tour de France - Giro d'Italia - Grand Tours - Vuelta a España - Triple Crown of Cycling - World Cycling Championship - Classic cycle races - Super Prestige Pernod International

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In 1996, Merckx was awarded the title of Baron in his home country of Belgium. During his racing career, he was nicknamed The Cannibal. He was also known as the Einstein of the two-wheelers, or, courtesy of Jacques Goddet, Le Géant.

Related Topics:
1996 - Belgium - Jacques Goddet

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Merckx's son Axel is currently a bicycle racer himself. He rode in the 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 Tour de France, won the 2000 Belgian national championships, and the bronze medal in the road cycling race during the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens.

Related Topics:
Axel - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005

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Having retired from competitive cycling, Eddy Merckx is now a bicycle manufacturer http://www.eddymerckx.be and race commentator. When asked for his advice to younger riders who wanted to become professionals, he is reputed to have simply said, "Ride a lot."

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