The Roubaix Riddle: Can Tadej Pogačar Truly Eclipse Eddy Merckx?

As the cycling world turns its eyes toward the cobblestones of northern France this April, the conversation surrounding Tadej Pogačar has shifted from whether he is the best rider in the world to whether he can achieve the impossible. For the Slovenian phenom, the goal isn’t just another trophy; We see the pursuit of a legacy that rivals the “Cannibal,” Eddy Merckx.

The debate over Paris-Roubaix and Eddy Merckx has reached a fever pitch in 2026. While Pogačar has spent the last few seasons dismantling the modern peloton, the “Hell of the North” remains one of the few remaining frontiers in his career. For some, a victory in Roubaix would represent the final piece of a puzzle that defines the complete cyclist. For others, the comparison to Merckx is not just premature—it is absurd.

A Season of Unprecedented Dominance

To understand why the Paris-Roubaix conversation is so potent, one must look at the momentum Pogačar carried into the current era. He closed out his 2024 season with a level of dominance that left virtually no room for competition in the world’s biggest races. His performance at Il Lombardia served as a masterclass in climbing, securing his fifth consecutive victory at the race.

That victory was the capstone of a historic run. Pogačar became the first rider in history to achieve five monument podiums in a single season. This feat followed a blistering autumn where he captured both the World and European Championships within two weeks of his Lombardy triumph. It is this versatility—the ability to win a grueling mountain stage and a one-day classic—that fuels the argument that he is the spiritual successor to Merckx.

However, the rider himself remains cautious. When pressed on the comparisons to the Belgian legend, Pogačar has been blunt: “I don’t like that comparison.”

The Numbers Game: 108 vs. 500

In sports journalism, we often lean on statistics to settle debates, but the gap between Pogačar and Merckx is a chasm that numbers alone cannot bridge. Currently, Pogačar sits at 108 career victories. By comparison, Eddy Merckx finished his career with a staggering 500 wins.

Critics argue that these numbers are not comparable since the eras are fundamentally different. Modern cycling is more specialized, training is more scientific, and the sheer volume of races entered by top-tier riders has plummeted since the 1970s. Yet, for the purists, the raw tally remains the gold standard of superiority.

The stakes for Paris-Roubaix are higher than just another win. There is a prevailing sentiment among analysts and fans that if Pogačar can secure victories at both Paris-Roubaix and Milan-San Remo, he will have effectively “completed” the sport of cycling. It would prove that no terrain—neither the highest peaks of the Alps nor the brutal pavé of the north—is beyond his reach.

The Voice of the Old Guard: Roger De Vlaeminck’s Critique

Not everyone is convinced by the Slovenian’s trajectory. Roger De Vlaeminck, the man known as “Mr Paris-Roubaix,” has emerged as one of Pogačar’s most vocal skeptics. The 78-year-old Belgian star has not held back, calling assertions that Pogačar is as good as Merckx “crazy.”

De Vlaeminck’s critique is rooted in a belief that modern riders lack the grit of the 70s legends. “Pogacar isn’t even close to Merckx’s toes!” De Vlaeminck stated, suggesting that journalists making the comparison are uninformed. He went as far as to claim that if he were 22 years old today, Pogačar would be unable to drop him in the peloton.

De Vlaeminck pointed to Pogačar’s win over Remco Evenepoel in Lombardy, dismissing it by noting it didn’t even happen on a truly difficult climb. He further argued that in the era of Merckx or Freddy Maertens, Pogačar would never have been allowed to ride alone in front for 90 kilometers, as the tactical aggression of that era would have neutralized him.

2026: The Giro or the Cobbles?

As we stand in April 2026, the biggest question is whether Pogačar will even line up for Paris-Roubaix. Despite the narrative surrounding the race, reports indicate he may skip the event this season. The physical toll of chasing “the full wheel” of cycling achievements is immense, and the Slovenian may be pivoting his focus.

The Giro d’Italia could be back on the table for 2026. For a rider who has already conquered the Tour de France and the World Championships, returning to the Corsa Rosa would be a logical step in expanding his palmarès, even if it means leaving the cobblestones of Roubaix for another year.

This potential pivot highlights the tension in Pogačar’s career: the struggle between winning the races he loves and winning the races required to satisfy the historians. A victory at Paris-Roubaix is the only way to silence critics like Roger De Vlaeminck, but the risk of failure on the pavé is a gamble that few modern Grand Tour specialists are willing to take.

Key Stakes in the Pogačar vs. Merckx Debate

• The Versatility Metric: Winning Paris-Roubaix would prove Pogačar can dominate the most specialized, brutal terrain in the sport, mirroring Merckx’s all-terrain dominance.
• The Victory Gap: While Pogačar’s 108 wins are impressive, the ghost of Merckx’s 500 victories looms over every milestone.
• The Era Divide: The conflict between the “total cycling” approach of the 1970s and the precision-engineered dominance of the 2020s.
• The Legacy Goal: A Roubaix win potentially sets Pogačar up for a “truly huge goal,” moving him from a generational talent to a historical anomaly.

Whether Pogačar decides to brave the dust of Roubaix this month or focus on the mountains of Italy, his impact on the sport is undeniable. He is a rider who thrives on the edge of what is considered possible, and while he may dislike the comparison to Eddy Merckx, the world will not stop making it until he either conquers the cobblestones or chooses a different path to immortality.

Next Checkpoint: Official race entries for the upcoming spring classics will be finalized this week, confirming whether Pogačar will officially target Paris-Roubaix or pivot toward the Giro d’Italia.

Do you believe Pogačar can surpass the legacy of Eddy Merckx, or is the gap in victory totals too large to ignore? Share your thoughts in the comments below.