23/04/2023

"Today's riders evidently don't really like cycling" - Eddy Merckx on how he sees Tadej Pogacar as a breath of fresh air in cycling

On the eve of Liège-Bastogne-Liège five-time winner Eddy Merckx has previewed the battle between Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel, which is set to be the highlight of the race. He believes the World Champion will be the winner of the race.

“I say Remco Evenepoel. He is preparing for this. And it's time for him to win, otherwise I don't know when he will," Eddy Merckx told Il Messaggero. "Numbering him at the World championships in Australia was a great gesture. But he has to prove that he is superior to Pogacar." Of Pogacar, he added: "I like Pogacar a lot. He is complete, he races all year round, he does the classics, he does Roubaix, he does everything. He's not one of those you only see in stage races."

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Merckx has talked very well of the Slovenian recently, specially as Pogacar took up the spring classics with great success, winning the Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold Race and now Flèche Wallone this week. Having no weak spots and having great form in display, it will be hard for anyone to beat him under normal conditions.

"He knows how to manage himself, he knows how to correct mistakes, he knows how to improve. And he wins – even more than he who has never won Flanders, Amstel and Flèche in the same season – I'm happy to see that there is a rider who doesn't just prepare a race," he continues. "Cycling is not just the Giro d'Italia or the Tour de France, cycling is all year round."

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In addition to the complements of late Merckx has also added that Pogacar is a different figure to the normal pro cyclist, arguing that “today's riders evidently don't really like cycling, in cycling you need passion. Pogacar loves racing, it shows, not just training."

The duo will have tough competition in Liège however both have shown incredibly high levels this year. Evenepoel also comes in as the defending champion, highly motivated and fresh off a training camp as he prepares for the Giro d'Italia. La Doyenne promises to deliver tomorrow.