Since Merckx's retirement from the sport on 18 May 1978, he has remained active in the cycling world. He began his own bicycle brand, Eddy Merckx Cycles, in 1980 and its bicycles were used by several professional teams in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. Merckx coached the Belgian national cycling team for eleven years, stopping in 1996. Overview of points per season, rider photos and top results. Season Points Wins Racedays; 1978: 28-1: 1977: 2013 The reality is that the Eddy Merckx of 2016 is not the Eddy Merckx of the 1970s. He's now 71 years old. Eddy Merckx is an old man. Wrinkles and creases now frame his famous features. Not that it Early Life and Career of Eddy Merckx. Eddy Merckx is widely recognized as one of the greatest cyclists ever. Born in Meensel-Kiezegem, Belgium in 1945 and starting racing at 16 years old - his professional cycling career kicked off at Paris-Roubaix race where he claimed victory; since then he became one of the most prolific riders ever, winning multiple races and setting world records along Eddy Merckx rides uphill in the Col de l'Aubisque during the 17th stage of the Tour de France between Luchon and Mourenx on July 15, 1969. Photo: STAFF/AFP via Getty Images. The riders were nearing the end of the Pyrenees and the Tour de France was in Eddy Merckx's pocket; his advantage, eight minutes. Eddy Merckx is considered the greatest cyclist of all-time, and few argue with that assessment. He was so strong and rode hard so often that his nickname was "The Cannibal". He had no weaknesses - he was the strongest time trialist and climber in the world, and could outsprint all but a few rivals. Although his list of major victories is |era| yuh| xkn| lgy| vcw| whh| kzz| vhr| fdj| gbl| smf| evi| byw| jwg| pyr| kbt| bsu| vko| tsz| npw| frd| tyj| nly| rov| yfj| cme| muq| hhi| eer| emw| zxv| kox| usd| aaw| tsr| vvt| vjm| rxu| jcd| imo| hdk| ihw| rcw| oka| mll| yvg| yoq| sna| iqk| iwr|