“We are watching the best rider in history” - Alberto Contador hails Tadej Pogacar as more dominant than even Eddy Merckx

Tadej Pogacar’s start to the 2026 season has only intensified the conversation around his place in cycling history, and Alberto Contador has now added his voice to that growing debate. The Spaniard, himself a seven-time Grand Tour winner, believes the Slovenian’s current level is pushing beyond anything the sport has seen before.

Pogacar has already stamped his authority on the campaign with victories at Strade Bianche and Milano-Sanremo, combining long-range aggression with the ability to finish races in multiple ways.

That breadth has become a defining feature of his racing, and it is central to how his dominance is now being viewed. It also comes amid growing praise from across the sport, with Peter Sagan recently describing Pogacar as the “God of cycling” as the scale of his impact continues to resonate.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Contador did not hesitate when asked to assess Pogacar’s standing. “I think we are watching the best rider in history. He limits the chances of other teams whenever he starts a race.”

Contador’s assessment goes beyond simple praise. In comparing Pogacar to Eddy Merckx, the benchmark for dominance in cycling, he suggested that the Slovenian’s control over his rivals may already exceed that of the sport’s most decorated figure.

“He will find it almost impossible to match his number of victories, especially because it is a different sport now. But in terms of dominance over his rivals, I think he may already be superior.”

It is a distinction that reflects the modern landscape of the sport. While Merckx’s tally of victories remains unmatched, Pogacar’s ability to dictate races across different terrains and formats has created a different kind of authority, one that shapes how races unfold from the moment he lines up.

That control, Contador explained, is visible not just in results but in how rivals are forced to approach races. “I enjoy the rivalry with Van der Poel and the overall dominance of Pogacar. I think we are watching the best rider in history. He limits the chances of other teams whenever he starts a race.”

Even in races where Pogacar is not alone at the front, his presence alters the dynamic. Teams are often left reacting rather than shaping the outcome themselves, a pattern that has become increasingly familiar across both one-day races and stage racing.

Contador acknowledged that such a level of control can split opinion among fans, but he does not see it as a negative for the sport overall. “We can see that Pogacar is operating at a much, much higher level. I don’t know if that is good for the spectacle and for cycling. For teams, it will not be good, but for the new riders coming through, it is positive that they get to know a mega idol, a rider who will push beyond the limits of cycling and become one of the greatest athletes in history, not just in cycling but in sport overall.”

There remains, however, an element of risk in the way Pogacar races, particularly when he commits to long-range attacks. “Some people get bored, and others enjoy it. I think that if he rides away 80 or 100 kilometres from the finish, unexpected things can still happen; he can have a bad moment, that is a risk he takes. What he does is not easy. At the World Championships, he went clear 100 kilometres from the finish, but they kept him within a few minutes all day.”

Contador’s verdict ultimately captures the balance of the current moment. Pogacar’s dominance may not mirror past eras in terms of sheer numbers, but in how he controls and reshapes races, it is already forcing comparisons that place him alongside, and in some respects beyond, the sport’s most iconic figure.