The cycling world has been closely following the health of Eddy Merckx, the legendary five-time Tour de France winner, following his recent prosthesis surgery. In a heartwarming interview, his son, Axel Merckx, gave a detailed and emotional account of his father’s current condition. He reassured fans while also highlighting the 80-year-old Belgian icon’s recovery.
“He’s a fighter” – Axel on his father’s recovery
During the Tour de France coverage, Axel Merckx spoke to reporters and described how his father’s determination and resilience are fueling his recovery:
“His father is doing remarkably well, but it’s not easy. At his age, an operation like this takes time to recover. Yet, he has always been a fighter – on and off the bike – and that hasn’t changed.”
According to Axel, the prosthesis was necessary due to the years of wear and tear caused by Merckx’s cycling career, combined with age-related complications.
“He had been struggling with pain for quite some time,” Axel explained. “The surgery was inevitable, but now we see him smiling again, and that’s the biggest relief for us as a family.”
Axel revealed that the recovery process has been a collaborative effort by the family, with constant support from family members, close friends, and medical professionals:
“We visit him every day. He’s strong, but it’s a slow process. The doctors are happy with his progress, and he’s already talking about being able to walk unassisted soon.”
Axel added that his father still follows cycling races closely. He often watches stages of the Tour and calls to share his thoughts on tactics and riders.
In a touching moment, Axel shared a message from Eddy Merckx to his fans:
“He wants to thank everyone for the kind messages, cards, and support he’s received. It really means a lot to him. He may not be as visible anymore, but he still feels the love and energy of the cycling community.”
Axel pointed out that his father’s competitive nature, which made him the most successful cyclist in history, drives him to keep fighting, even during these difficult times.
“He’s approaching his recovery the same way he approached a Tour stage: focused and determined. That mentality is helping him every step of the way.”
While there’s no exact timeline for when Eddy Merckx will appear in public again, Axel hinted that the “Cannibal” is eager to meet fans again and possibly attend future cycling events.
“Don’t be surprised if you see him at a race later this year. He still has that twinkle in his eye when it comes to cycling,” Axel said with a smile.
