Eddy Merckx

Eddy Merckx, also known as Édouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx, is a former professional road and track cyclist from Belgium. In addition, he ranks among the most accomplished cyclists in the annals of cycling competitions.

Early Life, Parents, Siblings, Education

Jennie Pittomvils and Jules Merckx welcomed Eddy Merckx into the world on June 17, 1945, in Brabant, Belgium. Eddy’s family relocated to Brussels in Belgium when he was a year old. Michel and Micheline are Eddy Merckx’s younger brother and sister, respectively.

Regarding his education, there is no detailed information available.

It is well known that Eddy Merckx was an active child who participated in a number of sports, including football, boxing, and other ones. At the age of three or four, he started riding a bicycle, and in 1961, he obtained his first racing license.

He started putting more emphasis on riding than on going to school, and eventually dropped out to pursue his love.

Career| Professional Life

After receiving his driver’s license in 1961, Eddy Merckx started competing in amateur cycling races and finished sixth in his debut.

He took part in twelve more races that year, and in October 1961, he won his first one at Petit- Enghien. Later that year, he continued his training under Félicien Vervaecke, a former bicycle racer.

He achieved his second victory at the Kermesse in 1962, a year in which he took part in over 55 events and won the amateur road race championship of Belgium. Eddy won close to 23 games in that season.

Eddy was chosen for the Men’s Road Race in the 1964 Summer Olympics, where he came in 12th

He competed in numerous cycling stage events that year, including the Tour of Flanders, Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix, and Tour of Morbihan. Likely, in the 1966 Union Cycliste Internationale Road World Championships, where he placed twelfth. Merckx finished first in 20 of the races this season.

 

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Achievements:

Eddy Merckx won several races in 1967, starting with two stage victories at the Tour of Sardinia. He also won a stage in the Paris-Nice stage race that year, then took first place in the overall standings at the Milan-San Remo and La Flèche Wallonne races.

With the Giro d’Italia, Eddy Merckx started his first Grand Tour, and after winning several stages there, he was ranked ninth overall.

His victory at the UCI Road World Championships in the Netherlands earned him the privilege of donning the illustrious rainbow jersey as he won the world championship.

At the Paris-Nice and Vuelta Levante stage events, Eddy Merckx started the year 1969 by winning the overall competition. Tour de Flanders, Milan-San Remo, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège were victories for him.

He started the Giro d’Italia in May 1969 and won 4 stages before being banned and given a one-month suspension for failing a drug test.

The cycling regulating authority (FICP) later lifted the ban, and he completed with six stage victories and the prize for the most aggressive rider.

 

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Other Works

Likely, Eddy has worked hard and assisted many people in rising to their feet. He was also in charge of the Tour of Flanders at the same time. In addition, he received special treatment from CGER Bank when he was the team’s sponsor.

Following that, he assisted in organizing the Grand Prix Eddy Merckx bicycle race, which was held all throughout Brussels.

From early 2000 through 2017, Eddy organized and shared ownership of the Tour of Qatar tournament.

When he was there, he worked with the Amaury Sport Organization and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

Budgetary concerns ultimately caused the race to terminate in 2017. During the same period, Eddy shared ownership of the Tour of Oman.

Net Worth and Salary

Merckx, a more than 500-time major race victor, holds far too many records. Before Lance Armstrong earned seven Tour de France titles before being stripped of them for doping, his five victories were the most ever.

By 1972, Merckx had agreements with Gillette, Adidas, and other major companies due to his dominance. He became such a media sensation that by the age of 27, he was a millionaire with an annual income of $400,000.

Relationship status| Personal Life

On December 5, 1967, Eddy Merckx wed Claudine Acou, a child of the national amateur team’s trainer.

On February 14, 1970, the couple gave birth to a girl named Sabrina, and on August 8, 1972, to a son named Axel Merckx. Axel became a professional cyclist as he grew older.

Body Measurements

Regarding his height, he stands 1.82 meters (5 feet 11 ¹⁄₂ inches) tall and weighs roughly around 74kg. Professional Player, Eddy is currently 77 years old as he was born on June 17, 1945.

Quotes

• “Ride as much or as little, or as long or as short as you feel. But ride.” 
• “Cyclists live with pain. If you can’t handle it, you will win nothing.” 

Social Media

Sadly, Eddy Merckx is not active on any social media sites. He doesn’t use any of the sites, but you may visit his company’s Instagram page instead.

It has 37.2k followers on Instagram under the handle Eddy Merckx Bikes (@eddymerckxbikes).

FAQ’s

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