News for October 17


Merckx quits as Belgian Coach

Former world champion Eddy Merckx said on Wednesday he would quit as Belgian team coach and accused the national cycling union of lacking professionalism.

``I've made up my mind,'' Merckx told the Belgian Het Nieuwsblad newspaper. ``Lugano was my last world championships as a coach.''

The world championships ended last Sunday with a Belgian victory achieved by Johan Museeuw in the men's road race.

``I find it difficult (to accept) the method of working in the cycling union, the lack of professionalism,'' Merckx said.

Belgian cycling union president Ernest De Vuyst said he refused to believe that Merckx's decision was final.

Merckx won three world titles and triumphed five times in the Tour de France.