Eddy Merckx suffers damaged hip in biking crash close to Brussels

Eddy Merckx He was hospitalized in Herenthals, Belgium and faces surgical procedure after a biking accident, which resulted in a damaged hip.

His spouse, Claudine Merckx, mentioned he was driving on a street on the western aspect of Mechelen when he fell on the tarmac. new nation, Which he described as a “silly accident.”

Claudine Merckx confirmed: “There was no different consumer on the street, Eddie simply slid off.” The newspaper.

“Thankfully he was not alone, as a result of Eddie felt a pointy ache. He knew instantly what had occurred. This suspicion was additionally confirmed on the hospital: he had damaged his hip. Eddie now has to endure surgical procedure.”

Merckx is widely known as essentially the most profitable rider within the historical past of males's skilled biking and was nicknamed “The Cannibal” for his aggression and dominance throughout his racing profession. He stays a outstanding determine within the sport, particularly in Belgium, the place his accident was large information.

His 525 victories embrace eleven Grand Excursions, together with 5 Tour of France victories. He has gained all 5 Monuments Classics, set a brand new hour report in Mexico, gained three World Highway Championships and each main one-day race apart from Paris tours.

The 79-year-old hit the bottom exhausting whereas driving alongside the bankstraat in Homebeek, on the western aspect of Mechelen and north of his residence close to Brussels. He was the one bicycle owner concerned.

His sister mentioned: “He slipped on a bend. He was in extreme ache instantly and was taken to hospital. He’ll get a brand new prosthetic hip.” Sporza.

It was not identified whether or not climate situations had been attributable to the accident, as the world skilled overcast skies and chilly temperatures approaching 5 levels Celsius.

Belgian media reported that the medical facility to which Merckx was transferred on Monday was the identical facility that handled Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) per week earlier for a damaged collarbone suffered in a coaching accident.

In April this 12 months, Merckx was taken to hospital for emergency surgical procedure when he suffered abdomen ache and had a part of his gut eliminated as a consequence of an obstruction.

Three months later, Merckx was within the highlight once more when Mark Cavendish (Astana Kazakhstan) broke his report of 34 Tour de France stage wins, going one higher on the thirty fifth stage win in Saint-Volpas. Merckx congratulated Cavendish by way of a social media submit.