Eddy Merckx isn’t just a name in cycling—he’s a symbol of absolute dominance, relentless ambition, and unmatched versatility. With a staggering 525 professional victories, including Grand Tours, Monuments, and World Championships, Merckx redefined what it meant to be a champion. Nicknamed “The Cannibal” for his insatiable hunger to win, he devoured competition across every terrain and discipline. Here are 17 unforgettable moments that capture the essence of Merckx’s unparalleled reign over the cycling world.
1. First Tour de France Victory (1969)
Merckx’s first Tour de France win was historic. Not only did he win the general classification (yellow jersey), but also the points classification (green jersey), the mountains classification (polka dot jersey), and the combination classification. He also helped Belgium win the team classification. No rider before or since has achieved this sweep.
2. Stage 17 of the Tour de France 1969
In the Pyrenees, Merckx launched a solo attack over multiple mountain passes for 140 kilometers. He won the stage with an astonishing 8-minute lead, a ride hailed as one of the most dominant mountain performances in Tour history. It cemented his nickname, “The Cannibal”, for his ruthless desire to win.
3. Winning all five Monuments
The Monuments are the most prestigious one-day races in cycling. Merckx won them all:
Milan–San Remo (7 times)
Tour of Flanders (2 times)
Paris–Roubaix (3 times)
Liège–Bastogne–Liège (5 times)
Giro di Lombardia (2 times)
Only two other riders in history have matched this achievement.
4. Record 7 Milan–San Remo wins
Known as “La Classicissima”, Milan–San Remo is a long, sprinter-friendly race. Merckx’s dominance there over nearly a decade showcased his incredible endurance, timing, and finishing power.
5. First Giro d’Italia win (1968)
In his first serious Grand Tour effort, Merckx won the pink jersey in Italy. His strength in the mountains and time trials began his legend. He went on to win the Giro five times, tying the record.
6. 1974 Triple Crown of cycling
Merckx remains the only cyclist in history to win the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and World Road Race Championship in the same year. It’s an unmatched demonstration of endurance, versatility, and consistency across disciplines.
7. Hour record (1972)
In Mexico City, Merckx broke the hour record by riding 49.431 kilometers in 60 minutes. It was considered one of the purest tests of a cyclist’s power and stamina. He described it as “the hardest ride of my life.”
8. First professional victory – Milan–San Remo (1966)
Merckx announced himself to the cycling world by winning this major classic at just 20 years old. This win marked the beginning of a career that would redefine dominance in the sport.
9. Paris–Roubaix victory (1968)
Merckx tamed the brutal cobblestones of northern France, known as the “Hell of the North.” His strength and technical skill allowed him to dominate a race that often ends in chaos and crashes.
10. Liège–Bastogne–Liège domination
Merckx won “La Doyenne” five times. His ability to outclimb rivals on the Ardennes hills and launch long attacks defined his style in this hilly one-day classic.
11. Giro d’Italia 1968 Stage 12 – Tre Cime di Lavaredo
On snow-covered roads, Merckx launched a daring attack on the Dolomite climbs, dropped all rivals, and seized the maglia rosa (pink jersey). The image of Merckx in the snow became iconic.
12. Tour de France 1971 Battle with Luis Ocaña
Ocaña challenged Merckx fiercely in the mountains and briefly took the lead. However, a crash in the Pyrenees ended Ocaña’s race, and Merckx reclaimed the Tour. Though he declined to wear yellow the next day out of respect, the rivalry made this Tour unforgettable.
13. World Championships wins (1967, 1971, 1974)
Winning the rainbow jersey three times on very different courses showed Merckx’s adaptability. Whether it was a sprinter’s course, a climber’s, or a rolling profile, he could win it all.
14. 34 Tour de France Stage Wins
Merckx’s record stood from 1975 until 2021, when Mark Cavendish equaled it. Unlike Cavendish, Merckx won across all terrains—flat, mountain, and time trial stages. (Note: Mark Cavendish later managed to win his 35th stage, thus he is now thw sole record holder. Nevertheless, Merckx’s former record was astonishing coparing to the rest of the historical peloton.)
15. Domination of Spring Classics
Year after year, Merckx swept spring races with unmatched consistency. He could sprint, climb, and break away solo, making him virtually unbeatable in one-day races.
16. Career Total of 525 cictories
No professional cyclist has ever won more races. This total includes:
11 Grand Tours
24 six-day track races
Dozens of classics
It’s a record that may never be broken.
17. Nicknamed “The Cannibal”
He earned the nickname from a young rival’s father, who said, “He doesn’t just want to win, he wants to devour his rivals.” Merckx never rode conservatively—he raced every stage as if it were a final.
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