Axel Merckx slams Belgian criticism of Remco Evenepoel: “We’re too quick to tear down our champions”

Axel Merckx has launched a passionate defence of Remco Evenepoel, questioning why Belgian cycling fans are so quick to criticise their champions, even after seasons filled with major victories.

Speaking on the RTBF podcast, the former professional rider and son of cycling legend Eddy Merckx expressed frustration with what he described as a typically Belgian attitude towards sporting success.

“We’re very quick to tear down our champions in Belgium. We’re the best at it,” Merckx said. “In France, they’re adored and put on a pedestal. It’s the same in the Netherlands. But in Belgium, if you win three races and miss one, you get torn apart.”

His comments follow a mixed conclusion to Evenepoel's otherwise outstanding 2026 campaign.

The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe star finished second overall at the Tour de France, winning two stages along the way. He also claimed the Clásica San Sebastián, won the Grand Prix de Québec and secured a fourth consecutive world time trial championship before adding the European road race title to his collection.

However, despite those achievements, Evenepoel has faced criticism in Belgium following several disappointing performances towards the end of the season.

Evenepoel finished fifth at the Grand Prix de Montréal and 12th in the World Championship road race, where expectations had been particularly high following his dominant performance against the clock. His fourth place at Il Lombardia, where he was unable to match the decisive acceleration of Paul Seixas, brought further disappointment.

Evenepoel admitted afterwards that he had struggled to rediscover his best form since the Tour de France, although he still considers 2026 the strongest season of his career.

For Merckx, however, the reaction to those setbacks has been excessive.

“It’s a kind of jealousy, and that’s a shame,” he said. “You can like Remco or not, but when you look at his record, there’s nothing to criticise. He works incredibly hard and makes enormous sacrifices. We mustn’t forget the human side behind these athletes.”

Merckx was particularly critical of the hostility directed at riders on social media, where he believes personal attacks have increasingly replaced legitimate sporting debate.

“People attack others in the comments, hiding behind pseudonyms to destroy someone. I find that truly disgraceful. It’s really sad, and it affects him,” he said.

The Belgian's frustration reflects a broader challenge for Evenepoel, whose achievements have created expectations that few riders could realistically satisfy. In a country with such a rich cycling heritage, even a world champion and Tour de France podium finisher can find himself judged more harshly for the races he loses than celebrated for those he wins.

Merckx insists that sporting criticism is one thing, but personal respect should never depend on the result.

“You can like him or dislike him, that’s one thing. But there’s no reason to attack him like that,” he added. “We should appreciate the rider he is. Whether people like his personality is up to them, but both the athlete and the person deserve respect.”

For Merckx, the message is simple: Evenepoel's achievements deserve recognition, even when he falls short of the extraordinarily high expectations placed upon him.