Cycling great Eddy Merckx seriously injured after bike crash

A Belgian newspaper says cycling great Eddy Merckx sustained head injuries in a crash while riding with friends.

The Het Nieuwsblad newspaper says the 74-year-old Merckx crashed on Sunday and was admitted to a hospital in Dendermonde.

Merckx is regarded by many as the greatest cyclist ever. He won five Tour de France titles and a record 34 stages.

The 2019 Tour de France began in Brussels in July and feted Merckx to mark the 50th anniversary of his first Tour victory.

Known as “The Cannibal” for his appetite for winning, Merckx also won five Giro d’Italia titles, one Spanish Vuelta and a string of one-day classic races.