Overview

• On June 17 Merckx was received by King Philippe at Laeken, underscoring his status as a Belgian sporting legend.
• His career record boasts five Tour de France victories, five Giro d’Italia titles and a total of 525 professional wins.
• Last December he underwent complex hip surgery following a fall but continues to ride as part of his recovery.
• He reflected on his famed rivalry with Felice Gimondi, describing it as pivotal to shaping his competitive drive.
• He declared Tadej Pogacar the cyclist most resembling his own style, noting that today’s competitors number fewer than in his era.