'Pogacar wouldn't drop me - As good as Merckx... Come on!' - Belgian cycling legend dismisses the 'greatest of all time' debate
Former cycling champion Roger De Vlaeminck remains as sharp-tongued as ever at 78, combining reflective moments about aging with fiery opinions on today's stars. In a candid interview, the Belgian legend discusses, his respect for Eddy Merckx, and his unfiltered assessment of cycling's current superstars.
De Vlaeminck speaking to HLN dismisses comparisons between modern star Tadej Pogačar and the legendary Eddy Merckx with typical bluntness. "Pogacar doesn't even reach Merckx's toes! Journalists who dare make that comparison know nothing about cycling - write that down," De Vlaeminck declares, "If I were 22 years old today riding in the peloton with Pogacar, he wouldn't drop me. Where was it recently when he rode away from Evenepoel? In Lombardi. Not even on a difficult climb. As good as Merckx... Come on!"
The Belgian cycling legend, who won countless classics including four Paris-Roubaix titles during his illustrious career, remains realistic about his own achievements compared to his great rival.
"People always claimed I could have won the Tour de France, but that I didn't believe in myself. The latter is correct, but I was simply being realistic. I couldn't win the Tour de France against Eddy Merckx. I accepted that," he explains.
De Vlaeminck speaks fondly of his physical attributes during his prime. "I was 1m84 - I found that ideal for a cyclist. And I weighed 66 kilograms. You should have seen me - such skinny legs," he recalls with a smile. "Nature gave me many gifts: I could sprint, I could time trial, I could climb enough... don't forget that I won tough mountain stages."
Going back to the modern-day peloton, while acknowledging Mathieu van der Poel's talent, De Vlaeminck can't resist a critical assessment. "He's a great rider. But he can't time trial, he can't climb, he can't sprint - not much left, is there? I won mountain stages, time trials, I could sprint, damn it."
He's even less impressed with Remco Evenepoel's victory celebrations. "I find him sometimes a bit arrogant. Coming across the finish line and lifting your bike in the air... is that necessary? Just ride across the line and win, right? Back in my day, I would just raise a hand."
Despite his sharp critiques, there's one cyclist who maintains De Vlaeminck's utmost respect: "My respect for Eddy Merckx is supreme"
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