The Cannibal — the most decorated cyclist in history, 11 Grand Tour victories.
Edouard Louis Joseph Merckx was born in Meensel-Kiezegem, Belgium in 1945. He won the Tour de France five times, the Giro d'Italia five times and the Vuelta a España once — 11 Grand Tour victories, the most in cycling history. He won 525 professional races. He broke the Hour Record in Mexico City in 1972. He was nicknamed The Cannibal because he would not give away wins even when he had already secured a race — his competitiveness was total. He tested positive for a banned substance during the 1969 Giro d'Italia — cleared on the grounds of sample contamination. He is the universal selection as the greatest cyclist of all time.
Best Known For
Tour de France 5x
Honours & Achievements
Career Honours
- Tour de France 5x
- Giro d'Italia 5x
- World Champion 3x
- Hour Record
Career Journey
Timeline
1945
👶 Born in Meensel-Kiezegem, Belgium
1978
🏁 Retired from professional sport
🏆 Tour de France 5x
🏆 Giro d'Italia 5x
🏆 World Champion 3x
🏆 Hour Record