“When Tadej was born, the planets aligned. What he does is inexplicable” - Peter Sagan anoints Tadej Pogacar "the God of cycling"

Tadej Pogacar’s 2026 season is already being framed in historic terms, and few voices carry more authority on that subject than Peter Sagan. The Slovak, a three-time world champion and one of the defining riders of the previous generation, has delivered a striking assessment of the Slovenian’s place in the sport as the scale of his achievements continues to grow.

Pogacar has emphatically opened his 2026 campaign, winning both Strade Bianche and Milano-Sanremo to underline his status as the rider everyone else must measure themselves against. With the Tour de France still to come and further Monument targets still within reach, the sense that he is building something far beyond a normal winning run is only increasing.

Speaking in conversation with El País, Sagan placed Pogacar’s level into a broader historical context. “Perhaps Merckx achieved it in his time, but cycling was very different then, so I don’t think we can compare them. The reality is that when Tadej was born, the planets aligned. What he does is inexplicable.”

The comparison is telling. Eddy Merckx remains the benchmark for all-around dominance in cycling, yet even that era, in Sagan’s view, cannot be directly measured against what Pogacar is doing now. The Slovenian’s ability to win Monuments, Grand Tours and World Championships within the same phase of his career has pushed him into a category that few riders have ever occupied.

Sagan’s assessment did not stop at admiration. Reflecting on Pogacar’s level in comparison to his own peak, the former Tour of Flanders winner made clear just how highly he rates the current world champion. “It doesn’t matter whether he does it or not. He is unique. He is one step above me and the rest.”

Coming from a rider who defined an era of his own and claimed three consecutive rainbow jerseys, that comparison carries significant weight. Pogacar is no longer being judged solely against his contemporaries, but against the very best riders the sport has ever seen.

Beyond the results, Sagan also addressed the expectations that now surround Pogacar as cycling’s leading figure. With that status comes a different kind of pressure, one that extends beyond performance alone.

The pair share a long-standing relationship through a common sponsor, and Sagan described Pogacar as grounded and receptive despite the spotlight that now follows him. “He’s a normal guy who listens a lot. It’s curious because when we meet and talk, I feel that, in a way, he is living what I experienced in my best years as a cyclist. So I try to guide him a bit.”

That guidance, he explained, is as much about handling responsibility as it is about racing. “I always try to anticipate the things that are going to come his way. He has to understand the responsibility he carries. Everyone looks at him as the God of cycling, and in a way, he is, but he has to know how to handle that. A God cannot damage his image with any nonsense. He has to be patient and behave well, especially with children.”

Sagan also pointed to the small moments that define how a rider connects with the public, particularly younger fans. “I always tell him to make time for them before races, even if it’s just five minutes. Those details are more important than they seem. For him and for cycling. These are things that are above all of us. Because when Tadej retires, that same responsibility will fall on other shoulders.”

As Pogacar continues to build a palmares that already places him among the defining riders of his era, Sagan’s words underline the scale of what is unfolding. The victories are stacking up, the range is expanding, and the comparisons are growing louder. This is no longer just about who wins the next race. It is about how far Pogacar can push the limits of what a modern rider can be.