Lotte Kopecky and Axel Merckx have opened up about the realities of maintaining a high-profile relationship within the Belgian sports spotlight since they became a couple in late 2025. In an interview published on September 23, 2026, Merckx shared that managing public interest and an age gap presents ongoing challenges, noting that he frequently finds himself reduced in public perception to “the man of” Kopecky despite holding his own career and professional path.
The relationship between the 31-year-old cycling star Kopecky and the 54-year-old former professional rider Merckx has generated significant attention across sports media since it began. According to reporting from Het Nieuwsblad and WielerNieuws.be, the pair have made a concerted effort to keep their personal lives shielded from public view despite the constant curiosity of magazines and fans.
“We lachen er soms mee: eerst was ik altijd ‘de zoon van’, nu ben ik ‘de man van’,” Merckx told Het Nieuwsblad, highlighting the shift from being identified primarily as the son of cycling legend Eddy Merckx to being recognized through his partner. “Het houdt niet op. Een mens zou bijna vergeten dat ik ook een eigen loopbaan en eigen job heb. Ik ben niet alleen maar ‘de man van’. Gelukkig.”
Shielding Private Life From the Press
Maintaining clear boundaries between professional sports commitments and private life remains a core priority for the couple. Merckx explained that safeguarding their home life requires turning down interview requests from celebrity publications and entertainment magazines.
“We proberen het toch. En ja, dat betekent dat je soms een keer neen moet zeggen als de boekskes aankloppen,” Merckx stated. He added that a strict separation exists once they are home: “Gaat het over de koers, geen probleem. Maar eenmaal we thuis de deur achter ons dichtslaan, is het privé. Zo ben ik opgevoed en zo denkt ook Lotte erover.”
That shared perspective is why the couple initially attempted to keep their relationship out of the public eye for as long as possible. Both agreed that the heavy volume of public interest serves no functional purpose in their day-to-day lives.
Handling Public Commentary on Their Age Gap
The 23-year age difference between Merckx (54) and Kopecky (31) frequently draws commentary and scrutiny, particularly across social media channels. Merckx acknowledged that while the age gap occasionally becomes a topic of discussion for observers, it has no negative impact on their daily lives.
“Och, je hebt altijd mensen die graag commentaar geven, liefst op social media,” Merckx said, noting that he avoids reading online reactions entirely. “Maar ik lees dat allemaal niet. Uiteindelijk telt maar één ding: zolang wij maar gelukkig zijn. En als je het echt wil weten: we maken zelf grappen over dat leeftijdsverschil.”
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