“What Pogacar does is Merckx-like, but I hope Remco can one day win the Tour de France” – Real Madrid icon Thibaut Courtois gives nod of approval to Evenepoel
Cycling
When elite athletes speak outside their own sport, the words can sometimes feel throwaway. Thibaut Courtois’ comments on cycling do not fall into that category.
Reflecting on his sporting highlights of 2025, the Real Madrid and Belgium goalkeeper singled out the dominance of Tadej Pogacar while simultaneously voicing clear support for Remco Evenepoel’s long-held Tour de France ambition.
Courtois’ assessment carried weight not only because of his status at the top of world football, but because it mirrored a growing consensus inside the cycling peloton itself.
“What Pogacar does is Merckx-like,” Courtois said in quotes collected by Sporza. “He is really on a completely different level. Wherever he starts, he is immediately a top favourite to win. Even in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Incredible.”
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Pogacar dominance acknowledged, Evenepoel ambition backed
Courtois did not attempt to downplay his admiration for Pogacar’s range or consistency. Instead, he framed the Slovenian’s current level as something that transcends normal comparison, reserving particular praise for his ability to arrive at vastly different races as an immediate favourite.
At the same time, the former Chelsea goalkeeper made clear that his praise for Pogacar does not come at the expense of belief in Evenepoel. As a compatriot, Courtois openly acknowledged his loyalty to Belgian riders, but his comments stopped short of sentimentality.
“I stay loyal to the Belgians like Remco,” he said, before adding a note of realism that underlined the scale of the challenge ahead.
Courtois expressed hope rather than expectation when it came to Evenepoel’s biggest career goal. “I hope that Remco can one day fulfil his big dream by winning the Tour,” he said. “It just will not be easy as long as Pogacar is riding.”
That final line cuts to the heart of the current Grand Tour landscape. Evenepoel’s talent and ambition are not questioned, but the era he is riding in is defined by a rival operating at a level that even athletes from outside cycling now describe as historic.
For Courtois, the balance was clear. Pogacar’s dominance deserves recognition, but belief in Evenepoel’s long-term Tour project remains intact, even if the path to yellow is obstructed by one of the most complete riders the sport has seen.
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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Front24208-11-2026 - On a positive note, you maybe notice turning this topic into a discussion has the benefit of eliminating certain participants who do not see how they can turn it back to their sole interest ;-)Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
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