Eddy Merckx is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional cyclists in history. Born in 1945 in Belgium, Merckx enjoyed an illustrious career spanning the late 1960s to the mid-1970s. He is often referred to as "The Cannibal" due to his insatiable hunger for victory and his dominance in multiple cycling disciplines.
As a four-time winner of the prestigious Tour de France (1969, 1970, 1971, 1972), Merckx established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of road cycling. In addition, he claimed the Giro d'Italia victory five times (1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974) and triumphed in the Vuelta a España once (1973). Merckx's impressive feat of winning all three Grand Tours firmly solidified his position as an exceptional cyclist.
Beyond the Grand Tours, Merckx excelled in one-day races, also known as Classics. He won the prestigious Monument races a record 19 times, including five victories in both Liège–Bastogne–Liège and Milan-San Remo, three in Paris-Roubaix, and a remarkable seven in the Tour of Lombardy.
Not only did Merckx possess great endurance, but he was also a gifted time trialist and climber. His relentless determination, exceptional physical abilities, and tactical astuteness made him virtually unbeatable during his prime. Eddy Merckx's list of accomplishments and record-breaking achievements has solidified his legendary status in the world of professional cycling.
