Cycling legend Eddie Merckx in hospital after fall

Brussels - Cycling legend Eddy Merckx, 74, has been treated in intensive care in Belgium after falling from his bike and suffering a serious head injury, the Het Nieuwsblad newspaper reported on Monday.

The five-time Tour de France winner was injured on Sunday during a bike outing with friends and taken to hospital in Dendermonde, the paper added.

Contacted by AFP, the hospital declined to comment on the report.

"I contacted his wife Claudine yesterday. She said he is doing well given the circumstances," former Anderlecht footballer Paul Van Himst, a long-time friend of the cyclist, told local television.