Eddy Merckx

Eddy Merckx, nicknamed “Le Cannibale,” is one of cycling’s greatest, with multiple major wins and a key role promoting the sport internationally.

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Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx (b.1945) earned the nickname “Le Cannibale” for his relentless drive to win. His career includes five Tour de France victories, five Giro d’Italia wins, and numerous world titles.

Merckx turned professional in 1965, having won the amateur world championship the previous year. He dominated the sport through the 1960s and 1970s. After retiring as a competitor, Merckx championed the sport internationally. He was an ambassador for the Tour of Qatar (2002–2016) and promoted the sport across the Middle East.

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This bicycle, ridden by Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx when he won the 1964 UCI Road World Championship, was donated to Qatar Museums in 2014.

In 2014, Merckx donated this bicycle to Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums. The donation reflects his lifelong passion for cycling and his support for Qatar’s sporting ambitions.

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