Since Merckx, a number of notable names to cycling fans have taken on the challenge of improving the hour record, including the likes of
Jacques Anquetil,
Miguel Indurain, Sir
Bradley Wiggins and the current record holder with 56.792 kilometres,
Filippo Ganna.
As mentioned, Merckx now wants two of the modern sport's leading lights to attempt the hour record, namely
Tadej Pogacar and
Remco Evenepoel. "The Slovenian is the best, the most versatile rider out there. But Remco has incredible aerodynamics. It would be wonderful if they tried this challenge," says Merckx, who admits his compatriot Evenepoel is the more likely of the two to one day take on the challenge. "With Pogacar, it's a very different kind of cycling. To tell you the truth, ever since I first met him in 2017, we've never once talked about track racing at all. Never. It's never come into our conversation, neither on his part, or mine, or the team's," he concludes.