“Pogacar will break the record” – Cycling legend praises Slovenian

Cycling legend Eddy Merckx believes that he and the other five-time Tour de France winners will be surpassed by superstar Tadej Pogacar.

July 26, 2026

From: dpa

“I don’t think he’ll be content with just equaling my record and that of the other champions. He’ll soon break our record for Tour de France victories,” the 81-year-old Belgian told the Gazzetta dello Sport. Alongside him, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain also have five overall wins.

Merckx is impressed by the performances of Slovenian world champion Pogacar, who is also poised for his fifth Tour de France victory on Sunday. "Of course, it was clear from the beginning of his professional career that he possesses a special talent. Although, to be honest, I didn't expect him to perform so impressively on the climbs. It seems as if he's breaking mountain records on every stage," added the former exceptional rider.

Cycling legend Eddy Merckx © APA/afp / JEFF PACHOUD

Merckx declined to draw comparisons to his own era. "Every era has its champions," said the Belgian, who racked up 525 victories in his career. Merckx also believes Pogacar is capable of winning the three Grand Tours – the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia, and the Vuelta a España – in a single year. "If anyone can do it, he can. In my opinion, he can do it if the conditions are right," Merckx said. Pogacar needs a strong team with a deep roster for this. "A team capable of effectively controlling races so as not to waste energy on stages."

Merckx considers his compatriot and Tour de France runner-up Remco Evenepoel to be "the best of mortals." Evenepoel is the world's best time trialist, "but I'm not sure if he'll ever be able to match Pogacar's peak form on the climbs," Merckx said.

Keywords cycling Tour de France