Phoenix 24
A cycling legend recognizes an extraordinary new generation.
BRUSSELS
Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx has acknowledged that Tadej Pogačar has surpassed him, offering his clearest assessment yet of a debate that has divided cycling enthusiasts for years. The five-time Tour de France champion made the remarks in Anatomy of a G.O.A.T., a new documentary examining the Slovenian rider’s achievements, competitive mentality and extraordinary ability to dominate different forms of professional cycling.
The documentary, released on November 7 through Eurosport and HBO Max, features interviews with former champions, teammates, coaches and specialists exploring what distinguishes Pogačar from his contemporaries.
Merckx, widely regarded as one of cycling’s most accomplished competitors, offered a striking assessment of the 28-year-old rider’s performance. He declared that Pogačar was now above him, praising his willingness to attack even when holding the leader’s yellow jersey at the Tour de France.
For the Belgian champion, Pogačar has revived an aggressive racing philosophy that appeared to have become less prominent in modern professional cycling.
The comparison carries considerable historical weight. Merckx won five Tours de France, five Giros d’Italia and one Vuelta a España, accumulating 11 Grand Tour victories alongside 19 Monument Classics and three road world championships.
Pogačar has already secured five Tour de France titles, one Giro d’Italia, 13 Monument victories and two road world championships. His achievements across mountainous stage races and demanding one-day competitions have established him among the sport’s most versatile contemporary champions.
Yet comparing athletes from different generations remains complicated. Racing calendars, training methods, equipment, team structures and competitive conditions have changed substantially since Merckx dominated the sport during the late 1960s and 1970s.
Earlier in 2026, Merckx himself questioned whether direct comparisons between eras could produce meaningful conclusions. His latest remarks therefore represent a notable change in emphasis, although they remain a personal sporting assessment rather than an objective determination of historical superiority.
Former Spanish champion Alberto Contador also expressed admiration for Pogačar in the documentary, comparing his sustained competitive dominance to the achievements of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.
Contador emphasized the Slovenian’s ability to compete successfully throughout the cycling season, from early spring Classics to major international championships.
The production also explores the personal foundations of Pogačar’s success. Family members describe his competitive upbringing, while former teammates and performance specialists examine the physical preparation and psychological characteristics that contribute to his achievements.
For Pogačar, the recognition arrives while his professional career remains active, leaving opportunities to pursue additional victories and records.
Merckx’s comments do not resolve every historical comparison, but they add an important perspective from the cyclist whose achievements have long provided the benchmark against which future champions are measured.
The significance of his acknowledgment lies not simply in comparing two remarkable careers, but in recognizing how a new generation can reinterpret the competitive traditions established by its predecessors.
The Story Continues Beyond the Headlines.