Belgian legend Eddy Merckx has confirmed that he suffered from intestinal cancer some years ago, but acknowledged that he has had no problems since, according to AFP. The five-time Tour de France winner lost a great deal of weight in the early 2000s, leading to rumours of health problems, something he now confirms.
“Since my cancer of the intestine I’ve to be careful of what I drink or eat,” the Cannibal said to the press in Doha, Qatar, where he is for the Tour of Qatar. “No more champagne or white wine,” he added.
Successful treatment means that the cancer has not returned. “Things are good now. I have regular check-ups and that works,” said Merckx, who will turn 65 on June 17th this year.
Merckx is widely regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time, also winning five Giros d’Italia to add to those five Tours de France. He also won an incredible seven Milano-Sanremos, five Liege-Bastogne-Liege, three Paris-Roubaix, two Ronde van Vlaanderen, two Giro di Lombardia. He was also World champion three times and won almost half the races he started.
Merckx has long had a close relationship to Lance Armstrong, the dominant cyclist of modern times. It’s now clear that they have more in common than their Tour victories.