Cycling legend Eddy Merckx believes Chris Froome might benefit from spending some time on the track.

Merckx famously spent his winters campaigning in Six Day races across Europe, which he claims made all the difference when it came to the demands of his classics and stage race schedule a few months later.

Unlike Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish - who graduated through British Cycling's track programme - Froome's career has avoided work in the velodrome.

But Merckx - a high-profile supporter of a return of Six Day racing at London's Olympic velodrome next month (October) - believes that could be a mistake as he looks to add to his two Tour de France titles next year.

"Racing on the track was always very good preparation for me," he said.

"The reason I won Milan-San Remo seven times was because I raced during the winter on the track. I was always the best prepared, ahead of all the other riders.

"It would be great to see Chris Froome on the track, he might even benefit from it and it would be an unbelievable spectacle for the fans to see him so close."

Despite Froome's two Tour victories, five-time winner Merckx - one of only three riders to have won all five Monuments of Cycling - believes that Wiggins's all around skills make him something special.

"He's won three Olympic golds on the track, one on the road, world titles on the track and road and the Tour de France, he's a truly great champion," said the Belgian.

"Just look at how fast rode the hour record, it was a staggering performance and no-one will break that for a long time now in my opinion."

"British cycling is blessed right now with Wiggins, Froome and Mark Cavendish. They've always had great riders, now they've got great champions. It's a very exciting time."

Patrick Sercu is the most successful Six Day rider of all-time, winning 88 races in his career, many alongside close friend Merckx. But he claims a combination of him and Wiggins would have been even more unstoppable.

"Wiggins has everything," he admires. "He's won world and Olympic titles on the track and road, he's won the Tour de France, he's a great Six Day rider and a terrific endurance rider. If I was still riding I’d love to ride with Bradley Wiggins, but Eddy needs a sprinter, like Cavendish."

However, Cavendish will be missing from the return of Six Day racing to the capital after a break of more than three decades after his recent shoulder operation, that followed a fall during the recent Tour of Britain.

Organisers, who are also being backed by Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy, hope crowds of 5,000 a night will experience an atmosphere similar to major darts tournaments, with loud music and a light show.

"At Six Day racing, you’re very close to the riders," added Merckx. "On the road the riders fly past you and you barely see them, but on the track, they pass you every 250 metres. It’s completely different. It’s a great atmosphere because you have sprints as well, people going off the front to try and get a lap, and there’s great support."

"It's a special atmosphere, like a football match and a great chance to see the big names up close."

Six Day London is at Lee Valley VeloPark between 18-23 Oct - tickets now on sale at www.sixday.com. Come and see the world's best track cyclists in action and be part of an electric party atmosphere at London's Olympic Velodrome.