April 9 (Reuters) - Belgian ⁠cycling great Eddy Merckx has ⁠been admitted to hospital in Belgium ‌to treat a persistent hip infection and is expected to have surgery next week, local ​media reported on Thursday.

The 80-year-old, ⁠widely considered the ⁠greatest cyclist in history, told the Flemish ⁠daily ‌Het Laatste Nieuws that he went to hospital on ⁠Monday after suffering "incredible pain."