Legendary Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx has been hospitalized with a hip infection and is facing further surgery, according to Belgian media.

"As I was in a lot of pain, I was admitted to hospital last Monday," Merckx told Flemish daily Het Laatste Nieuws.

A frustrated Merckx said that doctors have been unable to identify the source of the infection and that antibiotics have had little effect.

"They are likely to operate on me again next Monday," he said.

"Enough of this nonsense, I've had enough!" added the 80-year-old five-time Tour de France winner.

Merckx's health issues date back to December 2024, when he fell during a bike ride after slipping on a level crossing and fracturing his hip.

Since then, he has undergone six operations and experienced repeated complications related to the fitting of a hip prosthesis.