Merckx: 'Would I mind if Pogacar equalled and then broke my Tour de France record? Not at all'
In an interview with Het Nieuwsblad, Eddy Merckx discussed the potential of Tadej Pogacar matching and surpassing his tally of five Tour de France victories, Remco Evenepoel's prospects this July and the highly anticipated debut of Paul Seixas.
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Eddy Merckx believes that Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is well on course to match and then surpass the all-time record of Tour de France victories, with the world champion the favourite to claim a fifth Tour title this summer.
The Cannibal, who won five Tours between 1969 and 1974, insisted he would have no problem seeing Pogačar equal and then surpass the current joint record of five Tour victories, such is his admiration for the Slovenian. Merckx shares the record of five Tour de France victories with Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin.
“Pogačar, of course,” Merckx told Het Nieuwsblad, when asked who he is tipping as the big favourite this July.
“It’s wonderful to see the ease with which he climbs. He’s definitely going to win the Tour five times. Maybe even six. Would I mind if he equalled and then broke my record? Not at all. When you see the way he wins races, you can’t help but admire that.”
Threat of Vingegaard
Merckx acknowledged the threat Jonas Vingegaard can pose to Pogačar, though believes it will be very difficult for the Dane to topple the world champion.
“Perhaps Vingegaard can really put him under pressure. Though I fear it will be very difficult.”
Merckx was also full of praise for Pogačar's young Mexican teammate Isaac del Toro, who arrives at his debut Tour after winning the UAE Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes this season.
“The way Pogačar climbs. The same goes for [Isaac] del Toro. It all looks so much easier than it was in my day. Although I also thoroughly enjoyed Van Aert’s victory in Paris-Roubaix, when he beat Pogačar.”
Evenepoel and Seixas
Beyond the two standout riders of their generation, several riders are expected to challenge for the podium at the Tour de France. One rider who has already reached the final podium, back in 2024, is Remco Evenepoel.
Merckx discussed the prospects of the Olympic champion and explained why he is intrigued to see how Evenepoel performs in the high mountains.
“Remco has tremendous qualities. He’ll likely beat Pogačar in the time trial. But the Tour is still decided in the mountains, and that’s where he needs to prove he’s improved,” said Merckx.
“I hope he [Evenepoel] delivers in the high mountains, too. His performance on long climbs wasn’t quite there earlier this season, but with those training camps under his belt, he should climb better. Let’s hope it pays off, and he’s ready for the challenge, and that he can finish as close as possible to Pogačar.”
Another rider who is expected by many to be in the podium battle is 19-year-old debutant Paul Seixas who will become the youngest starter since Adrien Cento in 1937.
“Nineteen is young to go to the Tour, but we all saw how good he [Seixas] was at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. We all hope he can stay close to Pogačar on the climbs,” said Merckx.
The Tour de France gets underway on Saturday, 4 July, with a team time trial in Barcelona, where the first time gaps in the GC are expected to be made.
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