“To surpass my father, you would need to combine four champions: Van der Poel for the Classics, Pogacar for…” says Axel Merckx

The comparison between Tadej Pogacar and Eddy Merckx—whether you’re already tired of it or not—will likely follow us throughout the Slovenian’s career and probably even after his retirement. This time, the one weighing in on the subject was not the Cannibal himself, but his son, who is also a former professional cyclist and currently the sports director of the U23 team Hagens Berman Jayco.

Below are Axel Merckx’s words to Het Nieuwsblad. Unlike the usual comparisons, this time three other major figures of modern cycling were also brought into the discussion: Cavendish, Van der Poel, and Evenepoel.

“For a long time, people have been looking for someone who could compete with my father. For many years, it didn’t make sense, but Pogacar is now as strong as my father was in his best years. However, the question is whether he can maintain this level year after year, and whether he will break the hour record as my father did. The Tour de France is one thing, but then there are also the Classics.

Maybe Tadej will win the Tour more than five times, but will he also win seven Milan–San Remos? Five Liège–Bastogne–Lièges? Not necessarily. To surpass my father, you would need to combine four incredible champions, each dominant in their own field: Mathieu Van der Poel as a Classics specialist, Tadej Pogacar for all-round racing, Mark Cavendish in sprints, and Remco Evenepoel in time trials.”

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