Eddy Merckx breaks hip in crash while riding

Cycling legend Eddy Merckx broke his hip in a cycling accident, Belgian media reported on Tuesday (AEDT).

The 79-year-old was cycling with a group when the accident occurred near Hombeek, Belgium.

Newspaper The newspaper said that, according to the family’s statements, 79-year-old Merckx would undergo surgery at Herentals hospital.

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Merckx’s wife Claudine described the incident as a “stupid accident” in which “no other road users were involved”.

“Eddy just slipped away,” he said.

“He knew right away that he (had done) something. He felt a lot of pain.”

Merckx is considered the best cyclist ever. He won five Tour de France titles and three world championships.

Known as “The Cannibal” for his appetite for winning, Merckx also won five Giro d’Italia titles, a Spanish Vuelta title and a string of one-day races, including five Monument classics.

Merckx retired in 1978.