Cycling legend Eddy Merckx has suffered a fractured hip in a fall from his bike, according to Belgian media reports.

The 79-year-old winner of 11 Grand Tours was cycling with a group when the incident happened near Hombeek, Mechelen.

His wife Claudine told reporters that it was “a stupid accident” with “no other road user involved”.

“Eddy just skidded away,” she said. “He immediately knew he had [done] something. He felt a lot of pain.”

Merckx will undergo an operation at the same hospital in Herentals where Belgian compatriot Remco Evenepoel had surgery last week after the double Olympic champion broke multiple bones in a crash during training.

Merckx retired in 1978, having also won three World Road Championships. He was the first rider to claim cycling’s Triple Crown by winning the world title, Tour de France and Giro d’Italia in the same year, in 1974.

Only two men have emulated the feat, Ireland’s Stephen Roche in 1987 and Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar earlier this year.

Merckx also shared the record for Tour de France stage wins with Mark Cavendish before the now-retired Briton went clear with his 35th victory in July.