"Tadej Pogacar is the best rider of the year and of the century" - Chris Froome's serious praise of world champion

Over half of all Tour de France titles have gone to either Chris Froome or Tadej Pogacar since the former's first Maillot Jaune victory back in 2013. As such, there is a great mutual respect between Pogacar and Froome despite the fact that they never shared a Grand Tour battle together.

Speaking to Marca from the end of season Tour de France Saitama Criterium in Japan, Froome gave his thoughts on the current generation of Maillot Jaune contenders, having dominated the fight for Grand Tour victories throughout the 2010s.

In particular, the duo of Pogacar and rival Jonas Vingegaard have taken over Froome's mantle in recent years, although the Brit himself can see that changing in the coming seasons. "They have had two very good years, dominating the Tour and other places. But Remco Evenepoel is also there at a great level," the four-time Tour de France winner says. "There are other things to look at. I think that, even if they win a lot, cycling is a fun sport with them. Besides, we have already seen how things can change and, whoever wins everything now, then does not do it again."

So good has Pogacar been in 2024 especially, the Slovenian has been compared to the great Eddy Merckx with some even putting the UAE Team Emirates leader as the greatest of all time. "I think that Pogacar, after winning two Grand Slams and several other things, is the best rider of the year and of the century," Froome evaluates. Compared to Merckx though? "I don't know. They are different times and I don't think it's easy to compare them. I didn't see Eddy compete. I have seen Tadej compete now and you have to admit that he's a phenomenon," answers the 39-year-old thoughtfully, clearly full of praise for Pogacar.