In a daily interview The Latest News, the former glory of cycling looked back on his heavy fall and his operation which took place “without incident”.
Eddy Merckx, who was successfully operated on for a broken hip on Monday, joked about the fall he suffered the same day: “From now on, I will drive with two small training wheels”he told Belgian media. “The doctor told me the operation went well”he declared to the daily The Latest News. “They put a new hip in me. The pain is not too bad at the moment. Monday, it was huge, but with the operation, it’s better”.
The Cannibal, 79, concedes “to have been afraid” at the time of his fall, the circumstances of which he recounted. “On the railway line in Hombeek (near Mechelen), my rear wheel suddenly slipped. I fell on my hip and couldn't get up. Fortunately, a few passers-by were there. Otherwise it would have been a disaster. I was scared, yes”indicated the five-time winner of the Tours of France and Italy.
“Without hassle”
Merckx will begin his rehabilitation this Wednesday “with the possibility of immediately placing the entire weight of the body on the operated leg”announced the Herentals hospital in a press release. “To treat this injury, a total hip prosthesis was fitted on Tuesday afternoon by Dr Mike Tengrootenhuysen and Professor Steven Claes. The operation went smoothly, and a full recovery is expected.”added the hospital.
The establishment explained that full recovery will take several months but that the man with 525 victories could already get back on the bike in a few weeks.
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