‘I wish I had his legs one day’ - Powless reflects on Pogacar’s dominance and legacy

Despite acknowledging the frustrations of facing such a dominant force, Powless expressed admiration for the world champion in an interview with Wieler Revue.

"In racing, it can sometimes be quite discouraging when you see that a number of teams are so dominant and think: what can I do about this? Every team does everything it can to win, but if only a few teams actually do it, it can be difficult for the sustainability of our sport," Powless said.

The American rider, who caused one of the season's biggest surprises by winning Dwars door Vlaanderen ahead of three Team Visma | Lease a Bike riders, believes his victory serves as an important reminder that cycling remains unpredictable.

"My victory in Dwars door Vlaanderen and also Mattias' victory in the Amstel Gold Race were a reminder of the unpredictability of our sport. These victories were encouraging for the whole peloton," he continued.

Powless referenced teammate Ben Healy's joke after Liège-Bastogne-Liège, when the Irishman asked Pogacar when he planned to retire. Though meant humorously, it highlighted the despondency some riders feel when competing against such exceptional talent.

No matter the challenges, Powless finds inspiration in racing alongside a potential all-time great.

"I would put myself above the WorldTour average, but wish I had his legs one day. I hope he doesn't take those good legs for granted. It's not going to be like this forever, because a cycling career lasts fifteen years at the latest," Powless said.

The 28-year-old American went further in his praise, adding: "I would love to see him grow into the absolute G.O.A.T. If he continues for a few years, he will definitely become so. It would be a privilege to be on stage with him one day. And who knows, maybe one day even beat him. Dwars door Vlaanderen has given me confidence."