"I don't like that comparison" - Tadej Pogacar on Eddy Merckx and potentially skipping Paris-Roubaix next season

Tadej Pogacar has just ended his 2024 season, on a high and with no competition in what were several of the biggest races in the world in consecutive fashion. His performance at Il Lombardia was one of his best climbing performances of the entire season, proving his quality even in mid-October and in the two weeks following victories at the World and European Championships. However in 2026 he may not race Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d'Italia could be back on the table.

After his fifth consecutive Il Lombardia victory - and fifth monument podium in a season, both in which he was the first rider to achieve such feat, Pogacar was once again asked about his comparisons with Eddy Merckx, to which he responded. "But you know I don't like that comparison. But as luck would have it, right after the race I was standing with Ernesto Colnago when he got a call from Eddy Merck," the World Champion shared with Het Nieuwsblad. "So yes, I was able to exchange a few words with Eddy Merckx, and I thought that was really cool. But I don't like being compared to Eddy all the time."

The Slovenian experienced a dream season finale that couldn't be any better, and ultimately he will now take some time off before beginning to prepare the 2026 seasons. After two years of being virtually unbeatable, calendar selection won't need to be as targeted as before and he should also want to take up some less racing to avoid mental burnouts such as he experienced at the Tour de France.

According to Het Laatste Nieuws, although of course not confirmed, there is consideration on whether Pogacar will race Paris-Roubaix next year or not, not being given as a certain. In addition Amstel Gold Race, where he was beaten by Mattias Skjelmose this past spring, could be out of his schedule to favour either Liège-Bastogne-Liège or potentially even the Giro d'Italia in which he could make a return after winning the 2024 edition. If he does so, it is very likely that he will meet Jonas Vingegaard at both Giro and Tour. The Vuelta a España however is highly unlikely taking into consideration Pogacar's clear goals with the Tour and the very well suited World Championships in Montreal where he could win the rainbow jersey once again.