Alberto Contador puts Tadej Pogacar on par with Eddy Merckx after Tour of Flanders 2025: "He will likely be regarded as the greatest in history by the end of his career"
Cycling
The 2025 Tour of Flanders saw Tadej Pogacar cement his place in cycling history with an unforgettable performance. The Slovenian rider attacked with lightning speed on the final climb of the Oude Kwaremont, 19 km from the finish, leaving Mathieu van der Poel unable to keep up. Pogacar crossed the line solo, securing his second Tour of Flanders victory and the eighth monument of his illustrious career — a remarkable achievement for someone just 26 years old.
His victory was yet another testament to Pogacar's extraordinary talent, one that has left many experts in awe. Among those, Spanish cycling legend Alberto Contador spoke candidly to Eurosport, highlighting the magnitude of Pogacar’s accomplishments: "At times, it may seem almost routine, but we must acknowledge that we are witnessing a rider who, while not yet on the level of Merckx, will likely be regarded as the greatest in history by the end of his career," Contador stated.
What strikes Contador most about Pogacar is his versatility across all race types. Unlike many other top riders, Pogacar competes in both the grand tours and the major classics, consistently as a favourite for victory. This sets him apart from the likes of Van der Poel and Vingegaard, riders who have yet to venture beyond their specialist domains.
Contador drew comparisons to demonstrate just how unique Pogacar’s approach is: "Consider Mathieu van der Poel racing the Tour de France, or Jonas Vingegaard tackling Paris-Roubaix. Neither seems likely to win those races, but Pogacar enters nearly every race as a contender," he explained.
As for Pogacar’s future, Contador refrained from predicting exactly how many victories the Slovenian will amass in his career. However, one thing is clear to the former champion: Pogacar’s potential is boundless. "He is a rider who defies expectations. The only comparison that makes sense is with Eddy Merckx. It will be fascinating to see just how many grand tours and monuments he will add to his palmarès. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins them all multiple times," Contador concluded.
Tadej Pogacar wins the 2025 Tour of Flanders in style!
— Mathew Mitchell (@MatMitchell30) April 6, 2025
He joins Merckx as the only multiple Tours de France + multiple Rondes van Vlaanderen winner
Pogacar is the 7th rider to win De Ronde in the WC jersey
One half of the RVV + Roubaix double is in the books#RVV25 #RVVmen pic.twitter.com/DRy8lWMajF
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...Dariusz08-11-2026
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parisbound0008-11-2026 - there needs to be space in life for pointless comments!Ketterechts08-11-2026
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