Merckx to race Cycle Challenge

Eddy Merckx will line up in the Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge in Johannesburg on Sunday, 18 November 2007. Merckx, whose famed career spanned a period of 16 years from 1961-1977, says he's looking forward to the event, which will form part of his schedule during a five-day social visit to South Africa.

Merckx has close personal friends in Tshwane and is a regular visitor to South Africa. For the first time his trip coincides with the Cycle Challenge, which he will ride with the Tshwane-based Queens Club. Merckx won the Tour de France five times and rode to victory in the Tour of Italy on five occasions. He also boasts a victory in the Tour of Spain and he became the world road race champion some four times during his illustrious career.

"He is in good shape," said advocate Salim Yousuf, a Tshwane-based friend of the Merckx family. "We will certainly struggle to hold onto his wheel!"