Eddy Merckx undergoes hip surgery again for post-fall complications

The 79-year-old "Cannibal" had to undergo surgery again because "the product used to fix the prosthesis (a total prosthesis, ed.) did not take hold," he explained. "As a result, it came off. I was very worried... Even walking was difficult. The doctor told me that, out of 10.000 cases, this had only happened four times."

Now "everything is cemented. I felt it straight away on Sunday. I got up and it was different", exulted the rider with 525 victories, obtained between 1965 and 1977. Merckx had fallen last December when he slipped on a level crossing during a bike ride he was doing alone.