Bernard Hinault: "Tadej Pogacar is like Eddy Merckx and me"

Tadej Pogacar has been a cut above the rest at the 2024 Giro d'Italia. So dominant has the UAE Team Emirates leader's performances so far that the Slovenian has drawn comparisons to some of the legends of the sport.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the iconic figure of French cycling, Bernard Hinault spoke on his love for Pogacar's riding style and the comparisons. "Pogacar is like Eddy Merckx and me," says the 69-year-old, five-time Tour de France winner. "We come from different generations, but I like his character and his temperament."

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Pogacar has also received some criticism for his riding at the Giro as he makes late attacks on sprint stages and gets his teammates to chase down breakaways, seemingly intent on winning every stage possible. Criticism for such a style is not something Hinault agrees with though. Both the Frenchman and the aforementioned Merckx were famous for being ruthlessly competitive riders and not exactly giving to the rest of the peloton.

"Pogacar wants to win in every race. He doesn't always manage it, but that's not the point. I like his attitude," an impressed Hinault says, with the legend expecting Pogacar to complete his goal of a Giro d'Italia/Tour de France double in 2024. "He can do the double of the Giro and the Tour. We know Jonas' condition and it's not peak Vingegaard."

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