Merckx in hospital and facing operation as hip issues continue

Legendary Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx has been hospitalised with a hip infection and faces surgery, according to Belgian media on Thursday.

"As I was in a lot of pain, I was admitted to hospital last Monday," he told Flemish daily Het Laatste Nieuws.

A frustrated Merckx said that since the doctors have been unable to find the source of the infection and with the antibiotics not having much effect, "they are likely to operate on me again next Monday".

"Enough of this nonsense, I've had enough!" added the 80-year-old, five-time Tour de France winner.

His health issues date back to December 2024, when the 'Cannibal' fell during a bike ride after slipping on a level crossing fracturing a hip at the time.

Since then, he has undergone six operations and has had repeated complications related to the fitting of a hip prosthesis.