Eddy Merckx: "Pogačar is a Campionissimo"

On a recent interview, Eddy Merckx was not shy of complementing Tadej Pogacar, who is building an impressive palmarès despite the young age, and is looking like he'll possibly become one of cycling history's greats.

“I’ve always said I don’t like to make comparisons. I’m just happy to have been the best of my generation, it’s becoming difficult to find the word to describe what this young guy does. It’s spectacular and formidable. Pogačar is a Campionissimo," Merckx said in an interview with Gazetta dello Sport, after the Slovenian flew into a magnificent first win at Strade Bianche with a 50-kilometer long solo attack.

"There’s a tendency to start winning at a younger age these days but what he’s doing is unique. I wasn’t surprised to see him attack so early because I’ve never seen him make a tactical mistake. When he makes a move it’s because he’s convinced he can pull it off. That’s a rare quality that only the great riders have," he added.

Asked about if Pogacar can now move his ambitions to Milano-Sanremo, for another possible victory, Merckx was not reluctant to put it out there: "Why not? He can definitely attack alone and get away on the Poggio, and so nobody would catch him before the finish. We’re talking about one of the greats. They never have limits and can’t be judged against ordinary riders. Of course it won’t be easy for him with no experience but when he starts, he'll want to win."

"I really like that he always rides to win. That means he trains hard and prepares everything as well as possible," he added. Pogacar is currently at Tirreno Adriatico where he finished third in the initial time-trial and is the main favourite for the overall win.

He concluded: "Riders like Pogačar dominate the sport when they are at their best. That’s tough to take for their rivals but good for the sport. The public watches eagerly and that increases the interest in the sport. I’m sure Pogačar will make our sport even bigger."