Eddy Merckx

On the one hand, with three Tours, two Giros and a Vuelta a España to his name, all before his 29th birthday, he could become the greatest stage race rider since Eddy Merckx.

Tour de France 2011: Alberto Contador's rocky mountain way 2011

On the one hand, with three Tours, two Giros and a Vuelta a España to his name, all before his 29th birthday, he could become the greatest stage race rider since Eddy Merckx.

Tour de France 2011: Alberto Contador's rocky mountain way 2011

They had been working together since late-1995 after an introduction by Eddy Merckx, who always told Armstrong he should lose weight if he wanted to win the Tour one day.

Inside Cycling with John Wilcockson: Armstrong’s 25-year journey is over 2011

As Eddy Merckx is said to have remarked: "Don't buy upgrades; ride up grades."

Letters: The juice on Philip 2011

It was an old-fashioned, risky move, one that recalled the audacious attacks of cycling legends like Eddy Merckx, the Belgian icon who watched Andy Schleck ascend the Galibier while standing out the sunroof of an official Tour car.

Schleck Brothers Serve Cold Revenge Jason Gay 2011

As Eddy Merckx is said to have remarked: "Don't buy upgrades; ride up grades."

Letters: The juice on Philip 2011

There is only one cyclist who has ever dominated in every discipline: The Belgian Eddy Merckx, whose nickname consequently became "The Cannibal."

Contador's Inconvenient Talent Reed Albergotti 2011

Belgium's Eddy Merckx won all three of cycling's Grand Tours within 12 months.

Corrections & Amplifications 2011

On a nearly identical course in 1971, Eddy Merckx experienced one of the most trying days of his Tour career.

Sandy Casar wins stage as Schleck and Contador pull away, Evans cracks 2010

Eddy Merckx was at the height of his career, just as Alberto Contador is today.

Inside the Tour de France with John Wilcockson: Setbacks and comebacks are part of Tour history 2010