“Honestly, I wouldn't have liked to race today" - Eddy Merckx doesn't enjoy more scientific nature to modern day cycling
Cycling
Arguably the greatest cyclist of all-time, how Eddy Merckx would have fared against the stars of today is a question we'll never get a proper answer to. For the legendary Belgian himself however, racing in the more scientific structure of today's peloton would not be an appealing proposition.
“Honestly, I wouldn't have liked to race today," the now-78-year-old, five-time Tour de France winner admits in a sit-down interview with Johan Bruyneel. "Because I wouldn't have participated in all the races. I just enjoyed racing too much. If I had been told then that I was not allowed to ride a classic... No, I don't imagine myself in that world today.”
At his peak, Merckx was racing an incredible 195 days in a calendar year. Compare that to the likes of today's stars Tadej Pogacar (just 50 in 2023 ed.) and Jonas Vingegaard (68 in 2023 ed.) and it's a stark difference. “Racing is pure fun, isn't it? Yes, I liked to train too," Merckx assesses. "You just can't compare it anymore. But the young riders are so used to that now. The riders now don't really know anything else.”
On Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, Merckx also commented on their varying styles. Whilst Pogacar stars in one-day races and is hot-favourite to claim the Maglia Rosa at the Giro d'Italia next month, Vingegaard is single-focused on the Tour de France. “The Tour de France is important, but not the only race that matters," Merckx concludes. "Jonas Vingegaard only focuses on the Tour. What he does there is very exceptional.”
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- 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
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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It was such an honor for me to interview the G.O.A.T 🐐, Mr. EDDY MERCKX for THEMOVE podcast and @wedusport youtu.be/IZyAP_WeKrk?si…
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