"Pog is on G.O.A.T status" - Geraint Thomas puts Tadej Pogacar on a par with legendary Eddy Merckx
Cycling
After another incredible performance from Tadej Pogacar last weekend saw the Slovenian romp to victory at Liege-Bastogne-Liege, praise has been flying in from all parts. One of those who sees Pogacar's brilliance first hand is INEOS Grenadiers leader, Geraint Thomas.
On the latest episode of their 'Watts Occurring' podcast, Thomas, alongside teammate and compatriot, Luke Rowe compare just how highly on the pantheon of cycling greats, Pogacar should be positioned. For Thomas, who will compete against the UAE Team Emirates leader for the Maglia Rosa at the upcoming Giro d'Italia, it's on a par with the legendary Eddy Merckx.
"I reckon so yeah. To be fair though, I've never seen Merckx race, I've just seen his wins, his palmares," explains the former Tour de France winner. "Pog is just on G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time ed.) status I would say."
"He's in that category and been in there a couple of years but to be in that level of 'God Tier' riders he's got to do it for a few more years if we're going to put him on the same shelf or similar shelf as Merckx," Rowe responds. "I think Merckx just won almost everything he rode all year round and Pogi pretty much does the same. He's got 10 days of racing that he's done with 6 wins, it is outrageous. And the pedigree of them wins, they aren't 'Mickey Mouse Races'. He turns up to big races, wins and thanks for coming, goes home."
What do you think? Is Pogacar already in that category of cycling greats like Merckx or does he still have a way to go? Let us know your thoughts!
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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Another incredible win at #LBL caps off a near-flawless start to the season for @TamauPogi. G reckons that puts him on a par with the legend, Mr Eddy Merckx 👀 What do you reckon? 🐐 @LukeRowe1990 @GeraintThomas86 @eurosport
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