"Pogacar has definitely written history" - Nothing but praise from Eddy Merckx following Pogacar's Tour of Flanders win

Eddy Merckx is someone who respects Tadej Pogacar quite a lot, and following the Slovenian's victory at the Tour of Flanders originating from an aggressive performance, the Belgian legend has had nothing but praise for the new champion of the Ronde.

"This Tour of Flanders was magnificent. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed something so much," Merckx admitted to L'Équipe. "This fight with the equally strong Mathieu van der Poel was great. I can't repeat myself enough: what a rider Pogacar is! He is more than a champion and we must realize what he has achieved. Previously, only two riders managed to win both Tour of Flanders and the Tour [De France] and that strengthens his performance."

The race this Sunday was by all means quite an exciting one, with a very long fight for the breakaway, an unusual and surprising attack by Team DSM, a large group of favourites attacking from 110 kilometers out, the many attacks between the 'big three' inside the final 60 kilometers and their simultaneous chase to the head of the race, and then the fireworks on the final ascents. Fatigue was very much present, as the riders rode the fastest edition in the race's history.

"Pogacar has definitely written history. His racing style revives the old cycling," Merckx argues. "We lost that for a while. Pogacar does the opposite of cycling according to the computer and his presence is therefore enthusing. He takes the level to a new dimension and is therefore a role model in cycling."

"He already owns a great position at 24 years old. I do not think that Milan-Sanremo is difficult for him to win," the 'Cannibal' continues, believing that Pogacar could be the next winner of all five monuments. "Had he attacked on the Poggio later this year, everything would have been playable. He learns very quickly from such mistakes. Last year he lost the sprint in the Tour of Flanders, but then he already knew how to win. The same goes for Paris-Roubaix: if he says he needs to put on a little more weight to compete, he'll do that one day."

Asked if he had met Pogacar in person, Merckx revealed that it has happened already in the past: "We once had a meal in Italy on the initiative of a partner. I discovered an extraordinary type of person there and at that moment he had already conquered my heart."