Eddy Merckx's health condition is improving, Belgian media report, as the 81-year-old all-time great of the sport returned to riding a bike outdoors for the first time in months.
Merckx confirmed the news with an Instagram reel showing footage of himself and daughter Sabine out on a sunny afternoon's ride, with Merckx himself using an e-bike to amble along a bike path, likely somewhere near his home in Belgium.
The 81-year-old fell heavily in December 2024 and fractured his right hip, needing a full replacement in an operation the following day.
However, the rehabilitation process has been anything but straightforward, with six different operations needed, the latest in April due to a persistent bacterial infection and the prosthesis not attaching to the bone. At one point, he also reportedly had a minor stroke.
Since then, the Belgian has been on the road to recovery. Despite being unable to attend racing in person, he continued, as ever, to follow professional cycling closely, tipping Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) for victory in the Tour de France before the race start in Barcelona.
Merckx told newspaper La Dernière Heure after the Tour that his condition was improving, and that has continued to be the case. After a spell back on the bike on the rollers, he has now headed outdoors, too, for more rides.
"I hope I can ride a road bike outside again someday, but I shouldn't complain, because I've come a long way," he said in an interview with HLN last week.
Eddy Merckx fietst weer, weliswaar nog niet met de koersfiets. Deze foto staat op Instagram en is afkomstig van een post van dochter Sabrina. pic.twitter.com/qVPE3pAscMAugust 4, 2026
