Eddy Merckx Documentary to Premiere in London and Brussels
Cycling legend Eddy Merckx, widely regarded as the greatest rider in the history of the sport, will be the subject of a major new documentary titled “525: The Unstoppable Eddy Merckx,” set to premiere in London on July 30 and in Brussels on August 12, 2026. The film, produced by Rapha Films in collaboration with 6 Day Films, brings together an unprecedented cast of cycling royalty to tell the story of the man known as “De Kannibaal.”
A Documentary Four Years in the Making
The documentary takes its name from Merckx’s astonishing 525 professional victories between 1965 and 1978 — a record that remains unmatched in modern cycling. Directed by Lee Donaldson and written by Simon Hardy of 6 Day Films, the project has been four years in the making, with interviews filmed across Europe. Executive producers include BAFTA and Emmy-nominated George Chignell and Simon Mottram, founder of Rapha and Rouleur magazine.
According to 6 Day Films, the documentary explores not just Merckx’s extraordinary sporting achievements but also the man behind the legend — his dramatic rise, his near-fatal crash at Blois in 1969, the doping controversies of his era, and his epic comeback to set the definitive Hour Record of 49.431 km in 1972.
Unprecedented Access: Claudine Merckx Speaks
One of the most significant aspects of the documentary is the participation of Claudine Merckx, Eddy’s wife, who has rarely granted interviews throughout their decades together. Her son Axel Merckx described this as the film’s greatest achievement, telling Het Laatste Nieuws that the documentary would show “not just about the rider everyone knows, but also about the person behind it.”
“There were many people we hoped to interview, but hearing my mum speak in the film was probably the biggest triumph of all, as she had refused to be interviewed for a very long time.”
Claudine’s contribution offers a rare glimpse into the personal life of one of sport’s most private figures. In the film, she reflects on the fleeting nature of sporting glory, stating: “Glory is ephemeral. The day he stops racing will be harsh.”
A Cast of Cycling Legends
The documentary assembles a remarkable cast spanning generations of cycling greatness. British sprint star Mark Cavendish, who broke Merckx’s record for most Tour de France stage wins, appears in the film alongside five-time Tour winner Bernard Hinault, Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins, and Merckx’s great rival Roger De Vlaeminck.
Belgian cycling fans will take particular pride in the appearance of Lotte Kopecky — Merckx’s daughter-in-law and a multiple world champion on both track and road — who provides a modern perspective on his enduring legacy. Other interviewees include Sean Kelly, Johan Museeuw, Ernesto Colnago, fashion icon Sir Paul Smith, and former world champion Lizzie Deignan.
Mark Cavendish, reflecting on the significance of being part of the project, said: “I think the only fact that matters is that it was Eddy’s name I was sharing.” Lizzie Deignan added: “To be hungry for as long as he was is incredibly inspiring.”
Premieres in London and Brussels
The London premiere will take place on July 30 at the historic Regent Street Cinema, followed by a Q&A session compèred by Simon Mottram featuring some of the documentary’s participants. Eddy Merckx will not attend the London screening but will be present at the Brussels premiere on August 12 at Cinema Galeries in the Koninginnegalerij, where he will join his son Axel on stage for a Q&A.
A Legacy That Endures
Eddy Merckx’s career statistics remain almost incomprehensible by modern standards: five Tour de France victories, five Giro d’Italia wins, 19 Monument classics, three World Championships, and the legendary Hour Record that stood for decades. As Rapha Films describes it, his legacy is “completely unimaginable in this era” — a testament to a rider whose dominance across all cycling disciplines has never been matched.
The documentary “525: The Unstoppable Eddy Merckx” promises to be both a celebration of that extraordinary career and an intimate portrait of the man behind the legend, offering cycling fans a unique opportunity to understand one of sport’s greatest figures through the voices of those who knew him best.
Screening attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive collector’s set of memorabilia, including a premium cycling casquette, a musette, and a 32-page newspaper dedicated to Merckx’s achievements.