Francesco Moser: 'I See No Cyclist Who Seriously Threatens Tadej Pogačar'

Francesco Moser, a legendary Italian cyclist who once bested Eddy Merckx, believes Tadej Pogačar is in a league of his own and faces little serious competition.

“

When he started the climb, he simply left. He caught all the escapees and then left them behind. He took about three minutes from everyone else.

Moser, who secured 23 stage wins in Grand Tours and won the Giro d'Italia in 1984, praised Pogačar's dominance, particularly his recent performance on Alpe d'Huez. "When he started the climb, he simply left. He caught all the escapees and then left them behind. He took about three minutes from everyone else," Moser remarked.

Comparing Pogačar to Merckx, Moser noted their shared drive to win races they target. "Merckx wanted to win practically everything, even flat stages. Pogačar, however, chooses his goals. When he picks a race, he has almost no rivals," Moser observed. He also acknowledged the different eras in which they raced, with modern cyclists covering shorter stages but at incredible average speeds.

“

Merckx wanted to win practically everything, even flat stages. Pogačar, however, chooses his goals. When he picks a race, he has almost no rivals.

When asked if Pogačar is already better than Merckx, the 74-year-old Italian responded cautiously. "We can only assess that at the end of his career. He is still young and can win many more major races. He might not reach the total number of wins, but he could surpass him in some of the most important races. If he stays at this level, he can win for many more years, as I currently see no cyclist who seriously threatens him," Moser concluded.

“

We can only assess that at the end of his career. He is still young and can win many more major races. He might not reach the total number of wins, but he could surpass him in some of the most important races. If he stays at this level, he can win for many more years, as I currently see no cyclist who seriously threatens him.