Great article and impressive research analytic work.
I'm 58... And Belgian. I have the privilege of having lived both champs. Even if very young during Merckx period... I really remember the live TV broadcasts of his tour DE France, world championship in Montreal, the fist shot in Tour DE France. His collapse live full color, in Tour de France... The whole country was crying in front of their screens.
It his hard to compare and claim who is the best.
What I can strongly say is that never ever since Eddy a rider has been so close, so similar in every aspect of cycling as Pogi does. The way he races, on every race, aany time he starts a race... Make think and remind Eddy. It is thrilling.
It is not fair to Pogy to make a simple math comparison. Cycling is sooooo competitive today.
I have the feeling the current sequence since spring 2024 is the best ever performed by any champion... Including Eddy.
Tadej is simply unbeatable, if no fall, or little mistake as at San Remo.
We have the legendary memory of Eddy winning all the time... But that is fantasy. He won a lot, a a full lot, but sometimes he was beaten by a "that day better rider".
I admire both, I have to admit I am totally under the charm of Pogi elegance in glory or defeat, his smile, his postivie attitude and respect for others is simply admirable.
I chalked Eddy's hand in a restaurant a few months ago by the way... The privilege to be Belgian. The day he will be gone will be a massive moment in he country
I must admit, this topic has worn me out at times. In fact, when I was at UAE’s media day in Benidorm over last Christmas, I found the repetitive questions about comparing him to Merckx a bit irritating… but I’ve given in.
The truth is, as you say, what he’s done from Strade 2024 to now is simply incredible... ten years ago it would’ve seemed like sci-fi.
I see this post more as an analysis than a straight comparison, but the fact we’re even drawing parallels and looking for patterns in their careers says a lot: Pogi clearly has what it takes to end up as one of the top two or three riders of all time.
Great article. Merckx remains the undisputed number one, as dominant in Cycling as Don Bradman remains in cricket, but Pogi has a chance to at least match his incredible achievements. It should also be remembered that Merckx declined quickly after being punched by a fan on his way to the summit of the Puy de Dôme during the 1975 Tour de France, and a serious crash or other incident could yet derail Pogi's charge to number one status. The Tour and Vuelta this year will be pivotal to Pogi's legacy - if he dispatches a fully fit Jonas then he'll certainly be the best of this current generation and well on his way to catching Merckx. Whatever the numbers though, the best thing about Pogi - like Merckx - is his willingness to race anywhere, any time against any opponent. Rather than peak for one race every year, he attacks everything with a smile on his face, and his happy-go-lucky personality should save him from the hostility that Merckx's dominance sometimes earned him.
Great article and impressive research analytic work.
I'm 58... And Belgian. I have the privilege of having lived both champs. Even if very young during Merckx period... I really remember the live TV broadcasts of his tour DE France, world championship in Montreal, the fist shot in Tour DE France. His collapse live full color, in Tour de France... The whole country was crying in front of their screens.
It his hard to compare and claim who is the best.
What I can strongly say is that never ever since Eddy a rider has been so close, so similar in every aspect of cycling as Pogi does. The way he races, on every race, aany time he starts a race... Make think and remind Eddy. It is thrilling.
It is not fair to Pogy to make a simple math comparison. Cycling is sooooo competitive today.
I have the feeling the current sequence since spring 2024 is the best ever performed by any champion... Including Eddy.
Tadej is simply unbeatable, if no fall, or little mistake as at San Remo.
We have the legendary memory of Eddy winning all the time... But that is fantasy. He won a lot, a a full lot, but sometimes he was beaten by a "that day better rider".
I admire both, I have to admit I am totally under the charm of Pogi elegance in glory or defeat, his smile, his postivie attitude and respect for others is simply admirable.
I chalked Eddy's hand in a restaurant a few months ago by the way... The privilege to be Belgian. The day he will be gone will be a massive moment in he country
Thanks a lot for your comment, Yves.
I must admit, this topic has worn me out at times. In fact, when I was at UAE’s media day in Benidorm over last Christmas, I found the repetitive questions about comparing him to Merckx a bit irritating… but I’ve given in.
The truth is, as you say, what he’s done from Strade 2024 to now is simply incredible... ten years ago it would’ve seemed like sci-fi.
I see this post more as an analysis than a straight comparison, but the fact we’re even drawing parallels and looking for patterns in their careers says a lot: Pogi clearly has what it takes to end up as one of the top two or three riders of all time.
Welcome to Cycling Report, Yves! All the best.
I fully agree.
And yes your article was not a simple comparison but a solid, deep wise and balanced analysis of their performances.
We are witnessing an incredible page of sport history. It is so exciting.
Great article. Merckx remains the undisputed number one, as dominant in Cycling as Don Bradman remains in cricket, but Pogi has a chance to at least match his incredible achievements. It should also be remembered that Merckx declined quickly after being punched by a fan on his way to the summit of the Puy de Dôme during the 1975 Tour de France, and a serious crash or other incident could yet derail Pogi's charge to number one status. The Tour and Vuelta this year will be pivotal to Pogi's legacy - if he dispatches a fully fit Jonas then he'll certainly be the best of this current generation and well on his way to catching Merckx. Whatever the numbers though, the best thing about Pogi - like Merckx - is his willingness to race anywhere, any time against any opponent. Rather than peak for one race every year, he attacks everything with a smile on his face, and his happy-go-lucky personality should save him from the hostility that Merckx's dominance sometimes earned him.
Thanks for your comment, Nick. Van der Poel and Remco are incredible, but Vingegaard at his best might be even more dangerous. It's going to be fun.