Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian cycling prodigy, is being hailed as one of the greatest cyclists of all time, and according to former Belgian cycling coach and commentator José De Cauwer, Pogačar is already second only to the legendary Eddy Merckx. In a recent statement, De Cauwer said, “I already put him in second place, behind Eddy Merckx,” sparking discussions in the cycling world about whether Pogačar is on track to become the greatest cyclist in history.
Pogačar, at just 25 years old, has already achieved remarkable feats in his young career, winning two Tour de France titles in 2020 and 2021 and narrowly missing out on a third in 2022. His aggressive racing style, versatility across various terrains, and ability to dominate in both one-day classics and Grand Tours have drawn comparisons to Merckx, who is widely regarded as the greatest cyclist ever, with 525 career victories.
De Cauwer’s high praise for Pogačar highlights the impact the Slovenian rider has had on the sport in such a short time. Merckx, nicknamed “The Cannibal” for his insatiable hunger to win, was dominant in every type of race, from Grand Tours to Classics. Pogačar, though not yet matching Merckx’s palmarès, has shown a similar all-around excellence that makes him a worthy comparison.
While some purists may argue it’s too soon to elevate Pogačar to such lofty heights, the speed at which he’s racking up victories has made it difficult to ignore his potential to rewrite cycling history. If he continues on this trajectory, he could challenge Merckx’s title as the greatest of all time.
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