Eddie Merckx Trivia Questions

The nickname actually refers to his relentless, devouring style of competition—eating rivals, not food. He was famously frugal with eating on the bike.

In 1972, Merckx set the hour record at 49.431 km, which lasted 12 years until Francesco Moser broke it in 1984 using super bikes.

Merckx won the Tour de France five times (1969–1972, 1974) and was 29 when he won his last one in 1974.

He has 525 career victories, more than any other pro cyclist, including 34 Tour de France stage wins and all five Monuments.

His maximum in a single race week was around 1,200 miles (e.g., 1969 Tour), but 800 miles is too low; the myth undersells his epic endurance.

He won the Giro five times (tied with Coppi and Binda), but non-Italian riders like Bernard Hinault (three) and others fall short—the record is shared with Italians.

Despite his dominance, Merckx never won an Olympic medal; he turned professional before the 1968 Games, which barred pros at the time.

He tested positive for a stimulant in 1973 but received only a one-month suspension, not a year—the myth exaggerates the penalty.