“I’m fed up with it!” - Eddy Merckx hospitalised again as infection threatens further surgery for cycling legend
Cycling
Eddy Merckx has been hospitalised once again after a persistent hip infection left him in significant pain, with the Belgian icon now facing the prospect of yet another operation in what has become a prolonged recovery period.
The five-time Tour de France winner has been in hospital for around a week, undergoing antibiotic treatment as doctors attempt to bring the infection under control. However, that approach has so far failed to deliver the desired improvement, raising the likelihood of further surgical intervention.
“As I was in a lot of pain, I was admitted to the hospital last Monday,” Merckx said in a short reaction to hnb.be, as reported by La Derniere Heure.
“They can’t find the source of the infection and, as the antibiotics are not having much effect, they will likely have to operate on me again next Monday. That’s enough of this nonsense, I’m fed up with it!”
A long recovery rooted in 2024 crash
The latest setback is part of an ongoing medical struggle that can be traced back to a crash in December 2024.
Merckx suffered a fall after slipping at a level crossing, fracturing his hip. He has since undergone multiple operations, including the replacement of an initial prosthesis that had not been properly fixed, with recurring infections complicating his recovery.
At 80 years old, each new intervention has added further strain, extending what has become a lengthy period of treatment and rehabilitation.
Eddy Merckx in action during his legendary career
Compounding setbacks during rehabilitation
The hip injury has not been the only issue Merckx has faced. Over the past year, he has also dealt with additional health complications, including a minor stroke that temporarily affected his vision.
Combined with the repeated surgeries, the situation has left the former world champion in a cycle of treatment and recovery setbacks.
The immediate concern remains the infection currently keeping him in hospital, with the expected operation in the coming days likely to determine the next stage of his recovery.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- Sure, little fella.awp02-11-2026
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- Hey PogIFanGirl...wipe that cream from your lips! You're ever loving drooling and whatever you have for Tadej has your brain fried!frieders302-11-2026
- Why should he 'let it go' ! Because you said so? Anytime LA Doper is called out is a win win !frieders302-11-2026
- Geez LeMond...let it go. You're a has been, albeit a former great one. But this is all water under the bridge and just undermines your legacy further.Mshark01-11-2026
- 'The Slovenian has collected four Tour de France titles' ... '[Kieran Wood's] ... reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis'. i would say that is pretty inaccurate accurate coverage, kieran wood ... too bad that AI's knowledge often lags several months behind ... but proof reading is certainly part of accurate coverage, isn't it? but fortunately does Kieran Wood place 'strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.' i would say the fifth tdf title is pretty new (and even verified) information, so feel free to update this article.Ketterechts01-11-2026
- You are wrong, they are already working on his new tt position. And yes, Trump does love you 😂👍🏼awp01-11-2026
- The Erola Jons incident was not isolated. She felt she could do that because that's how everyone treats Tadej. Remember when he said "If I say wait 2 mins do you show the middle finger and walk off angry?" about the supposed fan who did exactly that? There's nothing wrong with the nurses and doctors asking him to give autographs... but do the surgery first
Rafionain-Glas01-11-2026 - Perhaps he has what Mark Cavendish had, the Epstein-Barr Virus. It caused him severe and unexplained chronic fatigue. I hope he gets better.
parisbound0001-11-2026
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