"He would have won the Vuelta Espana too if he had raced it" - Tadej Pogacar's history making year could have been even better says Brian Holm

No one has been able to come close to Tadej Pogacar in 2024. The Slovenian has taken numerous big victories, including 12 Grand Tour stages, the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France GC, plus his first-ever Rainbow Jersey.

Danish ex-pro and the 1990 national road champion Brian Holm, watched Pogacar destroy the competition in 2024, including Holm's own compatriot Jonas Vingegaard at the 2024 Tour de France, and was left in awe of the Slovenian's accomplishments this season.

"He won lots and lots. Pogacar makes the others look like a bunch of junior riders," Holm tells DR. "The Tour de France was never in danger. And in the Giro d'Italia, he almost played with them. And then came the World Championships. When he attacked, people sat and called him crazy. And then it worked out. You don't sit and laugh at him anymore. We are at the point where you think he would have won the Vuelta Espana too if he had raced it."

So good has Pogacar been in 2024, that some are already considering the UAE Team Emirates leader the greatest rider of all-time, surpassing even the legendary figures of the sport such as Eddy Merckx. "In five years we can discuss it. It's so crazy what he's doing now, but there will also be a bill," warns the 62-year-old Dane, Holm. "The bill always comes. But if he can keep up the momentum, I think we can debate who is the best. But what is happening now... It is for the history books."

The season isn't over yet for Pogacar either. Next weekend in Italy, the 26-year-old could add a 4th successive Il Lombardia title to his palmares, matching the legendary figure of Fausto Coppi in the process and adding yet another string to his bow, in the quest to go down in history cycling's greatest of all time.