Cycling: Belgian great Merckx gets 106th Tour under way

Former cycling champion Eddy Merckx poses with Belgium's King Philippe and former teammates, at the Royal Palace in Laeken, Belgium July 5, 2019. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian cycling great Eddy Merckx got the 106th Tour de France under way on Saturday as thousands of fans flooded to the first Grand Depart in Brussels for 61 years.

To chants of "Eddy Eddy" from the massed ranks at the city's majestic Grand Place, the 74-year-old sent the 176 riders on their way for the first of 21 stages, a 194km trek around the Flanders countryside.

Cycling - Tour de France - The 194.5-km Stage 1 from Brussels to Brussels - July 6, 2019 - Former cycling champion Eddy Merckx talks with Prince Albert II of Monaco. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Merckx, known in his heyday as the Cannibal for his aggressive riding style, was joined by Belgium's King Philippe for the ceremonial duties.

It is 50 years since Brussels native Merckx won the first of his joint-record five Tour de France titles.

The opening stage took place in warm sunshine with Belgium's Olympic champion Greg van Avermaet (CCC) part of a four-man breakaway which led the peloton by just over two minutes with 97km still remaining.

REFILE - ADDING INFORMATION Former cycling champion Eddy Merckx poses with Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde and former teammates Martin Van Den Bossche, Guido Reybrouck, Frans Mintjens and Jozef Spruyt at the Royal Palace in Laeken, Belgium July 5, 2019. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Van Avermaet will take the polka dot jersey after winning the sprint to the top of the day's one short, but steep, climb, the Mur de Grammont.

(This story corrects spelling of Merckx's first name to Eddy)

Former cycling champion Eddy Merckx and his wife Claudine Acou meet with Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, at the Royal Palace in Laeken, Belgium July 5, 2019. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Clare Lovell)

REFILE - ADDING INFORMATION Former cycling champion Eddy Merckx introduces Belgium's King Philippe to his former teammates Martin Van Den Bossche, Guido Reybrouck, Frans Mintjens and Jozef Spruyt, at the Royal Palace in Laeken, Belgium July 5, 2019. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Former cycling champion Eddy Merckx adjusts the tie of his grandson, Argentine hockey player Luca Masso, at a reception at the Royal Palace in Laeken, Belgium July 5, 2019. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Former cycling champion Eddy Merckx meets with Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Royal Palace in Laeken, Belgium July 5, 2019. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir