Woods backs Pogacar as greatest of all time: ‘Merckx was competing when only four countries were good at it’
As Michael Woods nears the end of his WorldTour career, the Canadian rider leaves no doubt about who he considers the greatest cyclist of all time. In his eyes, Tadej Pogačar has already surpassed Eddy Merckx.
For decades, every new champion has been compared to Eddy Merckx, the record-breaking Cannibal whose dominance in the 1970s defined what greatness means in cycling. Few have ever come close to matching him. Michael Woods believes that has finally changed.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that Pogačar is the best rider who’s ever lived,” Woods told Cycling Weekly. The 39-year-old, who will retire from Israel-Premier Tech at the end of the season, says the comparison only strengthens Pogačar’s case when you consider the evolution of the sport.
“Merckx was competing when there were only four billion people on the planet,” he said. “Only four countries were good at it, and some of the guys he raced against were still working. The fact that Pogačar’s this good, with today’s depth of talent, it’s vastly superior, vastly superior.”
While Woods climbed to the top late in his career, reaching the WorldTour at 29, Pogačar’s rise was immediate. A Tour de France winner at 21, he has since dominated the sport with unmatched consistency and flair.
“It becomes less fun when there’s no real opposition,” Woods said. "So I don't foresee Pogačar racing into his late-30s. But, you never know. Like, he doesn't need to. He can stop tomorrow. And in my mind, he's the greatest cyclist that's ever lived."
Woods compared Pogačar’s drive to that of Peter Sagan, who he said lost motivation once the challenge faded. “Sagan just got bored. You could tell he was doing it as a job. Riders like Pogačar and Sagan want to push the limits and test themselves.”
Although stepping away from professional racing, Woods still has plans that keep him on two wheels. “I’ve got some big plans. I want to do alternative events, bucket list races like Leadville and Cape Epic, and maybe even an Ironman. I just love training and racing,” he said.
He also addressed the turbulence surrounding his current team Israel-Premier Tech, acknowledging that the past few months have been difficult for everyone involved. Still, he struck an optimistic tone about the team’s future. “It’s been a tough time for everyone, but I think positive changes can come from this,” he said. “There’s a lot of good ahead for the team, and I believe the coming weeks will be important in shaping what that looks like.”
Recommended for you
