In Quebec on Friday, the cycling world witnessed a rare
sight: Tadej Pogacar denied victory. Yet, as Sunday rolled around and the GP de
Montréal unfolded, the Slovenian cycling star once again showcased why he is
widely considered the number one rider of his generation. Heading into the 2024
World Championships in Zurich with the Montreal win under his belt, Pogacar is
in formidable form, ready to conquer once again.
After taking nearly two months off following the Tour de
France in July, Pogacar's return to racing sends a clear warning to his
competitors. Despite the rest period, he remains in the kind of shape that saw
him dismantle his rivals in both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France earlier
in 2024. His extraordinary Giro-Tour double was a feat no rider had managed
since Marco Pantani in 1998. Pogacar's dominance this season positions him to
potentially make history, and should he don the rainbow jersey later this
month, it would cement what could arguably be the greatest season ever achieved
by a cyclist.
With such lofty possibilities, it begs the question: who
else in cycling history has had a season that rivals Pogacar’s phenomenal 2024?
Eddy Merckx – 1972
One name inevitably comes to mind when discussing dominant
cycling seasons: Eddy Merckx. Known as "The Cannibal" for his
relentless pursuit of victory, Merckx had several awe-inspiring seasons, but
his 1972 campaign stands out as one of the finest. That year, Merckx claimed
victory in both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, similar to Pogacar's
feat this season.
The 1972 season also saw Merckx win, Milan-San Remo, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Giro di Lombardia,
and La Flèche Wallonne and dominate numerous other events. His complete
mastery of the sport across a variety of races makes his 1972 season one of the
greatest in the history of cycling. If Pogacar captures the rainbow jersey in
Zurich, it would be difficult to overlook the parallels to Merckx's mythical
1972.
Bernard Hinault – 1982
Another cycling icon whose name belongs in the conversation
is Bernard Hinault, a man whose nickname, "The Badger," reflected his
aggressive and tenacious riding style. Hinault had an illustrious career, but
the 1982 season stands out as a highlight. Like Pogacar in 2024, Hinault
completed a Giro-Tour double, asserting his dominance over the peloton and
demonstrating his versatility as a rider.
What made Hinault’s season truly remarkable was his ability
to dominate across the entirety of the season, not just in Grand Tours. In
addition to his victories at the Giro and Tour, Hinault added wins in
prestigious races and was narrowly denied victory in
Paris-Roubaix. While he didn’t win the World Championship that year, Hinault’s
1982 season was one of complete mastery and strength, reminiscent of Pogacar’s
all-around brilliance.
Fausto Coppi – 1949
Fausto Coppi, a name synonymous with cycling legend,
delivered an unforgettable season in 1949. During this period, Coppi won both
the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France, much like Pogacar’s feats in 2024.
The Italian rider was particularly dominant in his home race, the Giro, where
he took the overall classification, the King of the Mountains jersey, and
multiple stages.
At the Tour de France, Coppi's performance was no less
impressive. He rode away from his competitors in the mountains and finished
nearly 11 minutes ahead of his nearest rival. Not content with simply
dominating the Grand Tours, Coppi also took home the victory at the Giro di
Lombardia, one of cycling’s Monuments, solidifying his place as the preeminent
rider of his time.
Coppi’s 1949 season is remembered as a hallmark of
excellence and a turning point in the sport. Like Pogacar, Coppi was revered
for his ability to win across all terrains and for his incredible consistency
throughout the season.
Stephen Roche – 1987
In terms of historical comparisons, Stephen Roche’s 1987
season is one of the few that can match the magnitude of Pogacar’s achievements
in 2024. Roche’s season is legendary because of the rare “triple crown” he
achieved that year: winning the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and the World
Championship.
Roche’s victories were not without drama. In the Giro, he
won by 3:40 minutes, one of the narrowest margins in the race’s history. At
the Tour de France, he cemented his place in cycling history with a stunning
performance on La Plagne, a high-altitude finish where he dramatically clawed
back time on the leaders. To top it all off, Roche claimed the World
Championship title in Austria, making him only the second rider ever (after
Merckx) to win the Giro, Tour, and World Championships in the same season.
This incredible feat stands as one of the most prestigious
accomplishments in cycling, and should Pogacar win the rainbow jersey later
this month, his season would undoubtedly invite comparisons to Roche’s
phenomenal 1987.
Marco Pantani – 1998
While Pantani’s career was marred by controversy, his 1998
season remains one of the most remarkable displays of climbing prowess the
sport has ever seen. Pantani, like Pogacar, achieved the Giro-Tour double,
winning both races in a season that saw him devastate his rivals on the
steepest of climbs.
Pantani's ability to dominate in the mountains and to
deliver knockout punches during the most challenging stages of both the Giro
and the Tour captured the imagination of cycling fans. His aggressive racing
style, attacking on every opportunity, made him a fan favourite and added to
the legend of his 1998 campaign. Like Pogacar, Pantani’s season was defined by
his willingness to attack and take risks, often leading from the front and
pushing the pace at every opportunity.
Conclusion: Can Pogacar Seal His Place in History?
As Pogacar heads into the World Championships, there’s no
denying the historic nature of his 2024 season. From his unparalleled Giro-Tour
double to his recent triumphs in Canada, he has solidified himself as the most
dominant rider of the modern era. Should he claim the rainbow jersey in Zurich,
he will have etched his name among the greatest seasons in cycling history,
comparable to legends like Merckx, Hinault, Coppi, and Roche.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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