Museeuw and Merckx warn Pogacar of a Sagan scenario: 'Even at the top, you need rest'

Johan Museeuw has expressed his concerns about whether Tadej Pogačar’s current stranglehold on the rest of the peloton is making modern cycling too predictable, whilst both he and Axel Merckx highlighted the challenge that Mathieu van der Poel poses to the Slovenian in his quest to win all five monuments.

Speaking to La Dernière Heure, Museeuw suggested that tactics have become less important in the sport than when he raced, since Pogačar primarily operates on a different level to his competitors. 

“What I find even more regrettable is that tactics play an increasingly small role in modern cycling,” said Museeuw to La Dernière Heure, “Simply put, everything at UAE Team Emirates is very straightforward. They control the race for three hours, then Pogacar attacks with 80 or 100 kilometres to go and wins solo.” 

Museeuw had recently stated to Domestique how current racing is "another cycling compared to my generation, totally."

On the other hand, Axel Merckx isn’t seemingly on the same wavelength as the “Lion of Flanders” in this aspect, instead expressing great admiration for Pogačar’s dominance, drawing comparisons to his father Eddy, who was just as emphatically a serial winner.

“I prefer not to compare generations, but today he dominates the way my father once did,” said Merckx to La Dernière Heure. “Beyond his incredible list of achievements, what impresses me most is the freshness he still shows after the finish.”

Merckx also acknowledged Pogačar’s ability to regularly look like he’s been out on a training ride after winning solo almost 100km to victory in a major race. 

“At the end of the last World Championships, when everyone else was completely exhausted, you almost wondered whether he had really spent more than six hours on the bike,” added Merckx.

Though Merckx warned that whilst the legs are clearly not an issue for Pogačar, the real dangers come in a mental aspect, with the pressure and constant attention that surrounds the World Champion

"Wherever he goes, there's always a kind of constant attention on him," said Merckx. "And that's what's so exhausting. I was too young to realise it, but when my father [Eddy] talks about the end of his career, it was mainly the mental fatigue, much more than the physical fatigue, that bothered him most. At a certain point, your brain signals your legs to stop."

Museeuw echoed similar concerns when asked about Pogačar’s attendance at off-season events and criteriums, such as recently in Gran Canaria.

“In my opinion, this period should mainly be a mental break," said Museeuw. "His mind needs to recharge, and I'm curious how the Slovenian will handle all of this... A few years ago, I think it was the same lifestyle that contributed to [Peter] Sagan's decline. Even when you're at the top, you need a bit of rest."

One man who was able to stop the World Champion on more than one occasion in 2025 was Mathieu van der Poel. Merckx highlighted the stellar ability of the Dutchman in the Classics, who has won the last three editions of Paris-Roubaix, as well as two editions of Milan-San Remo, and a record-equalling three editions of the Tour of Flanders. 

“The biggest problem for Pogacar in La Primavera, but also in Paris–Roubaix, is Van der Poel,” said Merckx. "Without the Dutchman, Pogi would already have won all the Monuments. It’s that simple. Fortunately for those who think Pogacar is too dominant, Mathieu can make life difficult for him in one-day races.”

Museeuw also credited Van der Poel and even gave the Dutchman a great compliment. “If I could reincarnate as a current rider in the peloton, I would choose Van der Poel without hesitation."

"Pogacar is obviously the best rider in the world, but I love the class Mathieu exudes and the fact that he only races to win. That’s the only thing that interests him," added Museeuw.

Pogačar himself has illustrated his hunger to beat Van der Poel in San Remo and Roubaix and complete his Monument set, even stating, “I think I would choose Roubaix because I won already the Tour four times,” when asked to choose between winning the Hell of the North or a record-equalling fifth Tour de France during his 2026 schedule reveal.

With already great duals carved in the history books, we could be set for some of the best battles yet between two goliaths of modern cycling in the Classics in 2026.