Cycling legend Eddy Merckx expects he and other five-time Tour de France winners to be surpassed by superstar Tadej Pogacar. “I don’t think he’ll be satisfied with just matching me and the other champions. He’ll soon break our Tour wins record,” the 81-year-old Belgian told *Gazzetta dello Sport*. In addition to Merckx, two Frenchmen, Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, as well as the Spaniard Miguel Indurain, also have five overall victories.
Merckx was impressed by the performance of Slovenian world champion Pogacar, who was also on the cusp of his fifth Tour victory on Sunday. “Of course, from the very beginning of his professional career, it was clear that he has exceptional talent. Although, to be honest, I did not expect him to be so impressive on the climbs. He seems to be breaking mountain records at every stage,” added the former exceptional cyclist.
Merckx did not want to make comparisons with his era. “Every era has its champions,” said the Belgian, who has 525 victories in his career. Merckx also believes Pogacar is capable of winning three Grand Tours – the Tour, Giro and Vuelta – in one year.
“If anyone can do it, it’s him. In my opinion, he can do it if the conditions are right,” Merckx said. To do this, Pogačar needs a strong team with a deep roster. “A team that is able to effectively control the races so as not to waste energy in individual stages.”
Merckx considers his compatriot and Tour runner-up Remco Evenepoel “the best of mortals.” Evenepoel is the world’s best time trialist, “but I’m not sure if he’ll ever be able to keep up with Pogacar at his best on the climbs,” Merckx said.
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