Tadej Pogacar: Eddy Merckx says Slovenian ‘can win everything’ in cycling after Tour of Flanders glory

Pogacar now only needs Milano-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix to complete the Monument sweep; a feat only pulled off by Merckx, Rik Van Looy and Roger De Vlaeminck.

Merckx believes Pogacar has what it takes to become one of the best in the history of the sport.

“When he goes for it, you can see he’s not thinking about the consequences. He doesn’t ask himself any questions.

“That’s real cycling, the kind that people love. Tadej is an exceptional rider, and if he wants, he’s going to have an enormous palmares.

“We can’t compare my generation and modern-day cycling, but it’s clear that Pogacar can win everything. Even Paris-Roubaix, which on paper, is the least suitable race for him.”

“He is anything but a rider run by computer data, a trend which had taken over the sport too much in recent years.

“His presence in these kinds of races is a blessing for cycling fans.”

As well as Pogacar, Merckx was also impressed by the performances of Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who came second and fifth-placed Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost).

“He [Van der Poel] raced very cleverly but Tadej was just a little better,” he added.

“And did you see Neilson Powless? He’s a debutant who used to race with my son’s team as a U23. A class act.”

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