“You’d have to combine Pogacar, Van der Poel, Cavendish & Evenepoel to surpass my dad” — Axel Merckx certain about cycling’s G.O.A.T.

In the current era of cycling, Tadej Pogacar is frequently hailed as the new benchmark, a rider with the potential to rewrite history. Yet Axel Merckx, son of the legendary Eddy Merckx, remains measured in his assessment, casting a cautious eye over the Slovenian prodigy’s rise.

Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, Axel Merckx draws a clear line between raw talent and enduring greatness. “For a very long time, people have tried to find someone to rival my father,” he explains. “Until now, that was nonsense, but Pogacar is as strong as my father was in his best years. The question is whether this young man can repeat that performance year after year, like my father did. And will he ever break the hour record, like my father?”

This emphasis on longevity and versatility strikes at the heart of what defines a true all-time great. Winning races is one thing; sustaining dominance across seasons and disciplines is quite another.

Axel elaborates on this point when discussing the broader scope of cycling’s challenges. “The Tour de France is one thing,” he says, “but you also have the Classics. Maybe Tadej will win the Tour more than five times, but will he also win Milano-Sanremo seven times and Liège–Bastogne–Liège five times, like my father? That’s doubtful.”

It is here that Axel’s loyalty to his father’s legacy shines brightest. He does not simply see cycling greatness as the sum of victories but as a tapestry woven from multiple threads — the ability to conquer both Grand Tours and Classics with equal mastery.

The most telling statement, however, comes in Axel’s defence of Eddy Merckx’s unparalleled status. He asserts: “Mathieu van der Poel as a spring classics specialist, Tadej Pogacar as an all-rounder, Mark Cavendish as a sprinter, and Remco Evenepoel as a time trialist — four incredible champions — are each superior in their own domain, but you’d have to combine them all to surpass my dad.”

This comparison perfectly captures the unique breadth of Eddy Merckx’s talent. While today’s stars often dominate specific facets of the sport, Merckx’s legacy rests on his extraordinary versatility — excelling in sprints, climbs, time trials, and classics alike.

Axel’s perspective serves as a potent reminder amid the excitement surrounding cycling’s current superstars. Pogacar may be rewriting parts of the record books, but the full measure of greatness remains a tall order, demanding consistency, range, and a body of work few have matched.