The legend of cycling Eddy Merckx underwent emergency surgery for an intestinal obstruction at the end of last March but his life is not in danger, the daily Het Laatste Nieuws reported on Friday evening on its website.
According to the Flemish newspaper, on the night of March 26 to 27, Merckx, 78, was transported by his wife to the emergency room of Jette University Hospital, near Brussels, after complaining of intestinal pain.
During the night, he was operated on for an intestinal obstruction. More than a meter of intestine would have had to be removed.
The five-time winner of the Tour de France, considered the best rider in history, told Het Laatste Nieuws that he had particularly suffered that night. The operation went well and Eddy Merckx was able to return home where he is resting after a few days in hospital.
The Cannibal lost a lot of weight following this intervention, but his life was never in danger, Het Laatste Nieuws further clarified.
