Has Tadej Pogačar Surpassed the "Cannibal" Eddy Merckx as the Greatest of All Time?

With his latest Tour de France victory, the question arises: has Tadej Pogačar, "Pog", become the best of the best, surpassing the once untouchable Eddy Merckx, "The Cannibal"?

In many ways, Pogačar is a throwback to an earlier era of cycling when professional seasons stretched from the spring classics in March to the autumn’s Race of the Falling Leaves, Il Lombardia. Unlike modern specialists such as Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, or Miguel Indurain, who often focused primarily on the three weeks in July, Pogačar’s range is far broader. He excels in races historically dominated by different types of cyclists—heavier, stronger riders suited for the cobbles of Northern Europe—while also mastering the climbs of the Alps.

Let's break down the stats:

The Cannibal: Eddy Merckx

• Era: 1960s-1970s

• Achievements: 5 Tour de France victories, 5 Giro d'Italia victories, 1 Vuelta a España victory, multiple one-day classics, and World Championships.

• Style: Dominated every type of race—Grand Tours, classics, time trials, and even sprints.

• Legacy: Widely regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time, known for his unparalleled versatility, consistency, and sheer number of victories (over 500 professional wins).

The Challenger: Tadej Pogačar

• Era: 2020s-present

• Achievements: 3 Tour de France victories, 1 Giro d'Italia victory, multiple one-day race victories including Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Tour of Flanders, and Il Lombardia.

• Style: Known for his aggressive, attacking style, incredible versatility, and ability to excel in both mountainous terrain and time trials.

• Potential: Still early in his career, with the possibility to achieve much more.

My view ....Pogačar has shown shades of the Cannibal in his approach, with dominant performances across a wide range of races. His six stage victories in both the Giro and the Tour this year are a testament to his all-around capability and his canabalistic tendencies! The "only" thing left for him is to maintain this trajectory. If he continues at this pace, he may indeed be on his way to becoming the greatest cyclist of all time.